News
Ben Watson KC acted for the Secretary of State before the Supreme Court, which upheld the ECHR compatibility of amendments to the operation of sentences of Detention at His Majesty’s Pleasure (DHMP): R(oao Quaye v Secretary of State for Justice) [2026] UKSC 34. The Supreme Court held that the amendments to the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 which removed from adult defendants the opportunity to reduce their minimum term when sentenced to DHMP for offences of murder committed when under 18 were compatible with Articles 5, 7, and 14, ECHR.
22nd September 2026
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| Senior clerk | Supreme Court upholds amendments to Detention at His Majesty’s Pleasure |
