CRIMINAL cases face chaos in Merseyside, as suspects bailed without charge are left in limbo by a challenge to a High Court ruling.

Leading legal figures in Liverpool last night welcomed the controversial decision on bail for suspects, despite a bid by the Government and police service to overturn it.

Yesterday, it was announced that police forces would be able to appeal against the High Court ruling, which states suspects must be charged or freed within four days, at the Supreme Court on July 25.

And policing Minister Nick Herbert told MPs yesterday the Government would urgently bring forward emergency legislation to reverse the ruling.

Until any successful legal appeal or emergency legislation is passed, Merseyside police said it will enforce the new interpretation of the rules made in the High Court judgment on June 21.

The court there upheld a decision made by District Judge Jonathan Finestein – who worked in Merseyside as a district judge for more than seven years – after he refused to further bail a suspect at Salford magistrates’ court.

Approximately 3,000 suspects are currently on bail in Merseyside, and about 600 of those are not yet charged with any offence.

They are the group potentially affected by the ruling.

Merseyside police are waiting for Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) guidance on how the change to the rules will affect suspects arrested before and after the June 21 hearing.

Yesterday, ACPO told the Daily Post it was still working on that guidance.