Covert Policing Review

   "The aim of the Covert Policing Review is to assist practitioners, judges and academics to unravel some of the complexities of RIPA.  Complexities will always attract academics, and RIPA has already bred more than its share of them.  When confronted by complexities judges will always have recourse to a journal which grapples with them authoritatively."

..."it has every prospect not merely of establishing a reputation as a credible journal but of becoming a classic of its kind. "

The Rt. Hon. Sir Andrew Leggatt

      Former Chief Surveillance Commissioner

Re-launch of Covert Policing Review 2009

McKay Law Solicitors & Advocates have acquired the rights to publish this journal and intend to re-launch it in 2009. In its inaugural issue, the then Chief Surveillance Officer described it as having “the potential to be a classic of its kind”. We intend to ensure we make good on this. The four issues in 2009 have already been scheduled and we have commitments of contributions from a number of highly regarded specialists in this field, including:

Professor David Ormerod;
Kingsley Hyland OBE;
Professor Clive Harfield;
Mathew Ryder, Barrister, Matrix Chambers;
Richard Griffiths, Barrister, Kings Bench Chambers;
Simon McKay, Solicitor Advocate

There are already a number of cases ear-marked for review including R v Flynn & St John (admissibility of voice recognition evidence by officers who conducted surveillance operation) and Edwards v CCRC (referral back to Court of Appeal on grounds of entrapment).

The journal promises to be back in its position of prominence in early course and it remains an essential part of developing knowledge, understanding and thinking in this critically important area of covert policing. Subscriptions are £175 per year. There is a limited supply of the journal available, so order now to avoid disappointment.

Covert Policing Practice Notes

Investigators working in the covert policing arena face not only the practical challenge of working in a difficult, complex and controversial area but also of keeping up to speed with legal developments. Defence practioniers challenge the police and prosecution at every turn in any criminal prosecution that follows a covert investigation and officers at all levels are expected to have a sound working knowledge of the legal principles at work.

McKay Law, a name synonymous with covert policing law and practice, has launched “Covert Policing Practice Notes”, which consists of a monthly bulletin setting out key legal principles in core areas of covert policing. These are not academic papers but practical notes for the busy investigator either planning or authorising surveillance, CHIS and similar operations. Each bulletin printed and presented in a binder with reinforced dividers for each month’s issue.

The Key Legal Principles to be covered in 2009

The 12 areas that the practice notes will cover over the year are;

1.       Running a successful “sting” operation
2.       Approaching the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000
3.       Proportionality
4.       Participation in criminality
5.       Understanding threat assessments
6.       Handling cell confession evidence
7.       Understanding privacy
8.       Legal and journalistic privilege
9.       Public interest immunity
10.     Surveillance law update
11.     Covert human intelligence sources
12.     The interception of communications

The cost for 12 issues is £120.00.

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