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ARTICLE · 03 JULY 2008

Down To The Wire

Russell Jones & Walker
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In 1586 encoded letters were intercepted and admitted in evidence to convict Mary Queen of Scots of treason for plotting to kill Elizabeth I.

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector
Jeremy Summers
Jeremy Summers

First published in The Law Society Gazette 22 February 2008.

We can use intercept evidence in a way that will lead to fairer trials and avoid extending pre-charge detention, argues Jeremy Summers

In 1586 encoded letters were intercepted and admitted in evidence to convict Mary Queen of Scots of treason for plotting to kill Elizabeth I. England is therefore no stranger to the use of intercept evidence in criminal trials and as a country we now authorise more surveillance operations than most other countries.

Despite this, a report this month by Sir John Chilcot recommending that intercepted communications be used in terrorism trials generated a huge amount of media debate. The Prime Minister is supportive of Chilcot's report, albeit with tight limits.

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