Government will work with children to create the first ever child-friendly version of the Victims’ Code. New Victims’ Code to ensure child victims are better supported by the justice system Government will work with children to make the first ever child-friendly version of the Victims’ Code Strengthened code will help every victim get swifter justice […]
The Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, chaired by Sir Brian Leveson, has published Part 2 of the Review. Read Parts 1 and 2 >> You are unauthorized to view this page.
Victims going through the Crown Court better supported to recover from crime and get closure with free access to transcripts of judges’ sentencing remarks. All victims to have free access to judges’ sentencing remarks in their case, providing clarity and closure to move forward with their lives. Move is the latest measure to improve transparency […]
Kemi Badenoch’s party will urge Labour backbenchers to defy their leadership over the plans, announced by David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, last year in an attempt to cut down the crown court backlog. Under the Government’s large-scale reforms, juries would be removed from a number of trials in England and Wales. Last month, 39 Labour […]
We lived in fear of meeting killers, say victims’ families There may be a limited exclusion zone around your home and place of work, but step outside of that and you risk coming face to face with the person who tore your family apart. That is the current reality for many families whose loved ones […]
Today is David Lammy’s big day. The justice secretary has two opportunities to persuade MPs — and the public at large — to support his jury reforms. This morning, he and his ministers will answer questions in the chamber. And this afternoon he and his permanent secretary will give oral evidence to the Commons justice […]
Half of all jury trials will be scrapped and replaced with “swift courts” in a shake-up that ministers have privately admitted will increase prison overcrowding. David Lammy, the justice secretary, has announced that defendants will be tried by a jury only where the offence carries a probable sentence of more than three years. A judge […]
Justice Secretary David Lammy is proposing to massively restrict the ancient right to a jury trial by only guaranteeing it for defendants facing rape, murder, manslaughter or other cases passing a public interest test. An internal government briefing, produced by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for all other Whitehall departments, confirms plans to create a […]
The MOJ launched a pilot of intensive supervision courts (ISCs) in June 2023. ISCs are a problem-solving approach that diverts offenders with complex needs away from short custodial sentences and into enhanced community-based sentences that aim to address underlying issues linked to offending. A process evaluation was undertaken to understand the pilots’ implementation, identify barriers […]
The new measures will see parental responsibility automatically restricted in cases of children born of rape, and when a parent is convicted of serious sex offences against any child. This means a parent can no longer take active steps in their child’s life, including making decisions over their schooling, medical care or trips abroad. The move […]
The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Home Secretary, has approved the appointment of Claire Waxman OBE as Victims’ Commissioner. The role of the VC is to promote the interests of victims and witnesses of crime and anti-social behaviour, to encourage good practice in their […]
‘Restriction zones’ to lock offenders – not their victims – into specific areas Breaches, when boundaries are crossed, could result in prison recall Move part of Plan for Change to boost protection for victims and make our streets safer Under plans outlined today (Friday 8 August), offenders will be pinned down to certain areas […]