Ten of thousands of people are remanded in custody every year while they await trial. But when they come to court, a high proportion walk free.

Prisoners held on remand while awaiting trial can at least console themselves that if found guilty, their time on remand will count towards their sentence. But there is no such consolation for those found not guilty, or found guilty but given a non-custodial sentence.

In spite of the rising toll of the war in Afghanistan, fewer military inquests are being held.

On July 29, The Hon Mr Justice Akenhead ruled in the High Court that Corby Borough Council had been negligent in their handling of toxic waste from Corby’s reclamation of the sites of abandoned steel works.