Criminal justice in Britain in September 1878
A snapshot of how courts, police and prisons dealt with crime in Britain in mid-September 1878, from the Old Bailey dock to the Home Secretary's desk.
Legal Systems Explained
Legal systems compared: how courts, prosecutors and juries work in different countries, from plea bargaining to life sentences, explained in plain English.
Social media and crime: how courts and laws respond worldwide
Social media has changed how some crimes are committed, investigated and proved in court. This article compares how different legal systems respond.
Civil law v common law: what it means for a murder defendant
Common law and civil law systems handle murder cases differently, from who gathers evidence to who decides guilt. Here is what those differences mean for a person accused of homicide.
Victims of crime in the UK: rights, support and recent trends
Who counts as a victim of crime in the UK, what rights they have, and where to find reliable figures on recent offences across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Life without parole: which countries still allow it
A life sentence does not mean the same thing everywhere. This guide explains where sentences with no realistic prospect of release exist and how human rights rulings have shaped them.
The role of the prosecutor: the US, Italy and Sweden
Prosecutors decide who is charged, but their powers and independence differ widely. This guide compares the United States, Italy and Sweden.