These standards apply to every Assize News publication. Each publication also publishes its own standards, corrections log and complaints procedure, which can go further than these. Where they do, the publication’s own page applies.
- The Assize: editorial standards , corrections , complaints
Regulation
Assize News is not currently a member of a press regulator such as IPSO or IMPRESS. These standards set out what we commit to, and we will update this page if that changes.
Accuracy
- We take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information.
- We check facts against primary sources wherever we can.
- We make clear what is fact, what is allegation and what is comment.
Fairness
When we make a significant allegation about someone, we give them a fair chance to respond before we publish, unless there is a good reason not to.
Court reporting
- Fair and accurate. Our court reports are fair and accurate, and we publish them as soon as we reasonably can after the hearing.
- Reporting restrictions. We comply with every reporting restriction and anonymity order, and with the automatic protections that apply, including for complainants in sexual offence cases and children in the youth courts.
- Contempt of court. While proceedings are active, we do not publish anything that creates a substantial risk of serious prejudice to them.
- Allegations and outcomes. We make clear what has been alleged and what has been proved. If someone we have reported on is acquitted, or a conviction is overturned, we update our report when we learn of it.
Privacy
We respect people’s privacy and intrude only where there is a public interest. We take particular care with children, victims, witnesses and people who are vulnerable. We do not refer to someone’s race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or other personal characteristics unless it is relevant to the story.
Removal requests
Open justice matters, so we do not remove accurate reports of court proceedings just because they are unwelcome. But we will review any request, for example where a conviction has become spent, a report is inaccurate or out of date, a reporting restriction applies, or someone’s safety is at risk. We will tell you our decision and the reasons for it.
Independence
Commercial relationships never decide what we publish or how we report it. If we write about an organisation that we, or another Assize Data brand, have a commercial relationship with, we say so.
Corrections
When we get something significant wrong, we correct it promptly and with due prominence, and we add a note to the article saying what changed and when. Each publication keeps its own public corrections log:
Complaints
To complain about something an Assize News publication has published, use that publication’s complaints procedure where it has one, or our contact form, or email enquiries@assizedata.co.uk with “Assize News complaint” in the subject line. Please include a link to the article, what you think is wrong, and what you would like us to do.
- We acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days.
- The publication’s editor decides it, and we send you a decision with reasons within 20 working days. If we need longer, we tell you why and when to expect it.
- If you are unhappy with the decision, reply saying why and it will be looked at again. That is our final response.
Because we are not a member of a press regulator, there is no regulator to take an editorial complaint to. If your complaint is about personal data in our reporting, you can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office; see data protection.
Publisher
Assize News is a trading name of Assize Data Ltd, a private limited company registered in England and Wales, company number 17510115. Registered office: c/o IWN Accountancy, The Echo Building, 18 Albert Road, Bournemouth BH1 1BZ.