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Dear God, the term 'venue shopping' is just moronic. It is another example of a buzz-phrase.
At first glance it encourages the public to imagine a skewed system that's open to manipulation.
You know, it's not until the public are subject to criminal legal proceedings that they realise just how disgustingly skewed against them the system is.
The law is almost NEVER properly Interperater at magistrates level. It's not really down to a lack of training, it's just human nature and a naturally jaded leaning towards prosecution sympathy.
Was the report too afraid to tell the truth that Crown Court choice isn't JUST about disclosure rules NOT being adhered to in the magistrates court? (An every day occurrence that goes unpunished!) It's also about the fact that EVERY client feels that it's not possible to receive a fair trial in front of hard nosed, out of touch, prosecution minded magistrates. THIS is their principle cause for concern when electing Crown Court Trial.
We live with a flawed system that's underfunded and inherently unjust and it's getting worse.
A short while ago I had a first time offender in attendance on day of trial and received 2 inches of prosecution evidence I'd been requesting for weeks. The magistrates refused an adjournment, they said they'd give me twenty minutes to take instructions. The client was horrified.
All we can do is what is best for them: and it's getting harder and harder for less and less.
WELCOME... To the real world of UK law. Welcome to the future...
And we're having report on 'venue shopping'!?!