My theme tonight can be summarised in a number of propositions:
- The law is satisfactory; the application of the law is not
- Disclosure must be seen as integral to the criminal justice process – not as a tiresome add-on
- The police need an “investigative mindset”
- Terminology needs to change, differentiating where appropriate between “complainants” and “victims”, while treating all with respect
- There is no place for lingering fallacies
- Resources must be addressed
- Robust case management is and remains essential
- Technology created some of today’s problems; technology/ AI will very likely solve them but not imminently