Landmark new rules to bring transparency to family courts – BBC News
‘Journalists and legal bloggers are to be allowed to report on family court cases across England and Wales from early next year.’
BBC News, 20th December 2024
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Category: Ministry of Justice
Courts reform to see quicker justice for victims and keeps streets safe – Ministry of Justice
‘Victims of crimes will see the perpetrators face justice more quickly under a once-in-a-generation review of criminal courts, the Lord Chancellor announced today (12 December).’
Ministry of Justice, 12th December 2024
Source: www.gov.uk
Defendants could be ‘diverted’ from criminal justice system amid record backlog – The Guardian
‘People scheduled to stand trial could be “diverted” from the criminal justice system in efforts to tackle the “unsustainable” backlog of court cases, the head of a major justice review has said.’
The Guardian, 14th December 2024
Source: www.theguardian.com
Lawyers refusing to represent people charged with certain crimes amid pay crisis – The Guardian
‘Lawyers are refusing to represent people charged with certain crimes amid a crisis over solicitors’ pay, with one burglary suspect turned away by 12 legal firms, the Law Society president has said.’
The Guardian, 16th December 2024
Source: www.theguardian.com
Minister warns prison space may run out despite expansion plans – BBC News
‘The justice secretary has said even under the government’s plans to open 14,000 more prison places, they could still run out of space over the next few years.’
BBC News, 11th December 2024
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
MP’s bid to finally have all forms of domestic abuse recognised in law – The Independent
‘The scandal of scores of prisoners guilty of domestic abuse being released early from prison has prompted a bid to change the law.’
The Independent, 11th December 2024
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Domestic Abuse Protection Order Pilot Scheme – 25 Bedford Row
‘As of 27 November 2024, Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (“DAPOs”) are being piloted in Greater Manchester, parts of South London (Croydon, Bromley, and Sutton) and the British Transport Police.’
25 Bedford Row, 10th December 2024
Source: www.25bedfordrow.com
Court delays ‘driving innocent prisoners to plead guilty’ in England and Wales – The Guardian
‘Court backlogs are forcing alleged offenders to spend up to five years in jail awaiting trial and driving innocent people to plead guilty, two prison watchdogs have revealed.’
The Guardian, 9th December 2024
Source: www.theguardian.com
Government “at risk of breaching duty” to provide access to justice – Legal Futures
‘The Ministry of Justice is at risk of not meeting its statutory duty for civil legal aid to deliver access to justice, according to research it commissioned.’
Legal Futures, 2nd December 2024
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Resentencing of prisoners trapped under indefinite jail terms not ‘adequately explored’, committee warns – The Independent
‘The government has been urged to reconsider resentencing thousands of prisoners trapped under abolished indefinite jail terms.’
The Independent, 29th November 2024
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Legal aid fees to rise by 10% for immigration and housing after lawyer action – The Guardian
‘Ministers are to announce a 10% increase in legal aid fees for immigration and housing work after action by lawyers who warned that the failure to increase rates has led to a paralysis in the system.’
The Guardian, 29th November 2024
Source: www.theguardian.com
Justice Committee Launches New Inquiry Into Rehabilitation And Resettlement – Each Other
‘The Justice Committee has launched its first new inquiry of the Parliament, into reoffending in England and Wales. MPs on the newly appointed cross-party Committee, chaired by Labour MP Andy Slaughter, will examine the levels of reoffending in England and Wales.’
Each Other, 26th November 2024
Source: eachother.org.uk
Carr hits out over civil digitisation and criminal court sitting days – Legal Futures
‘The Lady Chief Justice yesterday complained to MPs about the government’s decisions to reduce the digitisation of civil justice and limit sitting days in the criminal courts.’
Legal Futures, 27th November 2024
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Whiplash tariff set to rise 15% as Mahmood finally publishes review – Legal Futures
‘The whiplash tariff is set to increase by around 15%, the government announced yesterday, reflecting inflation since it was introduced in 2021 and including a ‘buffer’ to take account of predicted inflation until the next review in 2027.’
Legal Futures, 22nd November 2024
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Revealed: Record number of ex-offenders charged with serious new crimes while on probation – The Independent
‘The number of ex-offenders charged with committing serious crimes while on probation has surged by a third to hit a grim new record, the latest figures show.’
The Independent, 17th December 2024
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Andrew Malkinson says he has been ‘left to rot’ after wrongful conviction quashed – The Guardian
‘Andrew Malkinson, who spent 17 years in jail for a crime he did not commit, says the Ministry of Justice has left him “to rot” after telling him he is likely to have to wait months before learning if he is even eligible for compensation.’
The Guardian, 14th November 2024
Source: www.theguardian.com
Make revenge porn a civil offence to avoid ‘retraumatising’ trials, MPs told – The Independent
‘Revenge porn should be made a statutory civil offence to allow victims redress without having to go through a “retraumatising” criminal trial, MPs have been told.’
The Independent, 13th November 2024
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Lynette White murderer release won’t be reviewed – BBC News
‘The decision to release the man who brutally killed a young woman in a flat in Cardiff will not be reviewed, the Ministry of Justice has said. Jeffrey Gafoor, 59, is set to leave prison on parole after attempts to change the decision to release him failed.’
BBC News, 10th November 2024
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
