Tag: Ministry of Justice

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 27 November 2023.

A consultation looking at whether cowardly domestic killers should receive tougher sentences if they subject their victims to a campaign of coercive and controlling abuse, has been launched by the Lord Chancellor today.

Ministers will also consider whether murderers who use a knife or another weapon already at the crime scene to kill should also face steeper starting points – a change that could result in higher minimum terms in these cases.

Every year, around 90 people – overwhelmingly women – are killed by their current or ex-partner, with most of these murders taking place in the home. And when a weapon is used – often a kitchen knife – it is normally already at the scene.

This means that although weapons are used, these offences generally do not qualify for a higher starting point – with a discrepancy of up to ten years compared with murders where a weapon is taken to the scene.

Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said:

“It is shocking that around 1 in 4 murders are committed by a current or former partner, or relative.

This Government has already gone further than ever to protect women and girls, with tough new protection orders plus laws to ensure abusers and killers spend longer behind bars.

To make sure sentencing policy is meeting the threat, it is right to review this complex landscape so that the scourge of violence against women is tackled as coherently and effectively as possible.

Currently, when a knife or other weapon is taken to the murder scene with intent, the starting point is 25 years. This reflects the increased risk to the public when knives are carried on the streets. Where a knife is used, but not taken to the scene, a 15-year starting point normally applies.

Campaigners on this issue include Carole Gould and Julie Devey, whose daughters Ellie Gould and Poppy Devey Waterhouse were killed by their former partners using knives found in the home.

Justice Minister, Gareth Bacon, said:

For some evil people, murder is the brutal final act of a controlling and coercive relationship with their partner. It is only right we look at whether the sentences for these types of killings reflect this sustained and unacceptable abuse.

This consultation builds on the action we are taking to clamp down on domestic homicide, by introducing new laws to punish abusers with longer jail terms, and better protect victims.

The consultation reflects the Government’s determination to ensure the sentencing framework for murder properly punishes perpetrators of this horrific crime, while giving victims’ families the justice they deserve.

In response to Clare Wade’s landmark independent review of sentencing in cases of domestic homicide, the Government has introduced a raft of measures to ensure sentences reflect the seriousness of the crime.

This includes the introduction of new legislation which will make:

• “Overkill” and previous controlling or coercive behaviour by the murderer a statutory aggravating factor resulting in longer sentences
• A history of controlling or coercive behaviour a mitigating factor where the perpetrator was subject to this behaviour
• Killing connected with the end of a relationship a statutory aggravating factor, through the Criminal Justice Bill

The Domestic Homicide Sentence Review was commissioned in 2021 to examine whether the sentencing framework should be reformed to better reflect the seriousness of domestic homicide and to identify options for improvements.

It followed a series of high-profile domestic murders and concerns from the then Victims’ Commissioner and Domestic Abuse Commissioner about how these offences are handled by the justice system.

This is the latest step in the Government’s commitment to be tough to keep the worst offenders locked up.

The Government has already ended the automatic release of sex and terrorist offenders, brought in a minimum 14-year jail term for anyone convicted of serious terror offences and under the new Sentencing Bill, the most horrific murderers will spend the rest of their lives locked up, including for any murder involving sexual or sadistic conduct, while criminals who commit rape and other serious sexual offences will spend every day of their sentence behind bars.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 22 November 2023.

The UK’s status as a multi-billion-pound global leader in arbitration services will be secured by new legislation introduced to Parliament on 21 November 2023.

The Arbitration Bill will benefit businesses and individuals around the world who look to the UK as the best place to resolve disputes from family law and rent reviews to international commercial contracts and claims by foreign investors made against entire countries.

Modernising the framework for arbitration in this country for the first time in 26 years – making it quicker, cheaper and more efficient –will cement the position of this high-value sector in the face of growing competition from other centres such as Singapore and Paris.

With arbitrations in England and Wales worth £2.5 billion to the British economy each year in fees alone, the Bill will help the UK’s world-leading legal services sector to continue to flourish.

In supporting people and businesses to settle disputes without having to go to court, British arbitrators will save them time and money.

Justice Minister, Lord Bellamy, said:

These much-needed changes will modernise the role of arbitrators and further cement our position as a world leader in the field.

The UK is a globally-respected hub for legal services, with English and Welsh law the bedrock for the majority of international disputes, and the Arbitration Bill will ensure businesses from around the world continue to come here to resolve their disagreements.

Other countries have already modernised their laws and as a result, the government asked the Law Commission in 2021 to review the Arbitration Act to ensure the UK remains ahead of the curve when it comes to dispute resolution. They consulted extensively before making recommendations to the government which were backed the arbitration sector.

Accepting the Law Commission’s recommendations in full means arbitrations in this country will remain fair and efficient and will cement the UK’s status and economic benefit as a world leader.

Changes include:

• Strengthening the courts’ powers to support emergency arbitration so time-sensitive decisions can be made more easily, such as the preservation of evidence to avoid bad actors destroying key materials.
• Providing more clarity on the law of arbitration.
• Simplifying procedures to reduce delays and costs for clients.
• Protecting arbitrators from unreasonable lawsuits – for example if the arbitrator needs to resign from the case with good reason, to ensure they can make impartial decisions.

Catherine Dixon, CEO of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, said:

We worked very closely with the UK Law Commission and other officials during its review of the Arbitration Act 1996. As the leading professional body for dispute resolvers, we are delighted that the majority of our recommendations were adopted in the Law Commission’s report and, subsequently, the Bill.

We are pleased that the UK Government has included legislative reform of the Arbitration Act as a key priority in this Parliament, recognising the importance of arbitration to the UK and globally, as the Act forms the basis of legislation in many other jurisdictions.

Notes to editors

This Bill will:

• Empower arbitrators to expedite decisions on issues that have no real prospect of success to make arbitration more efficient.
• Introduce a duty on arbitrators to tell clients any circumstances which could cast reasonable doubt on their impartiality in deciding an outcome of a dispute.
• Make clearer which law underpins arbitration agreements so arbitrations which happen in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland are supported by the relevant UK law.
• Empower the court to make orders supporting the actions of emergency arbitrators to enhance their effectiveness, and make orders in support of arbitral proceedings against third parties (those not involved in the proceedings) to for example preserve evidence or take witness evidence.
• Extend arbitrator immunity against liability for resignations and the costs of the application to court for their removal, to support arbitrators to make impartial decisions.
• Simplify court procedures related to arbitration to increase clarity as well as reduce delays and costs for clients.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 20 November 2023.

Today the Lord Chancellor and senior judiciary launch a shared vision for the future of the civil and family courts and tribunals system.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 17 November 2023.

More than 33,000 people have been helped to tackle family, debt and housing issues thanks to over £3 million of government investment in legal support.

This has saved thousands of people the stress and expense of a court hearing, supporting with a total of 36,000 issues over the last 2 years.

It has offered vital support to people facing issues such as house repossession, managing debt, or seeking help over childcare or custody agreements.

An evaluation report published today (17 November 2023) shows the majority of those seeking support were women and nearly everyone coming to advisors found the right help.

The early legal advice led to increased income for those who were directed to help like the carers’ allowances, and people reporting feelings of greater independence and improved wellbeing.

Justice Minister Lord Bellamy KC said:

This funding ensures people have somewhere to turn to regardless of their financial circumstances and can avoid stressful court battles.

Now research shows that not only can early legal advice help people solve their problems quickly, but can also improve their finances and health.

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has provided over £25 million to organisations providing legal support for litigants in person since 2015. The £3.2 million 2 year scheme was launched in 2020 between the MOJ and Access to Justice Foundation.

Clare Carter, CEO of Access to Justice Foundation, said:

We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Ministry of Justice to strive to ensure that people most in need of early legal advice are able to access it.

We know from legal advice charities across England and Wales how crucial this funding has been to help people access income, preserve employment and secure housing. Demand for these services is increasing by up to 50 percent across the sector, so the needs for these funds has never been more acute.

The research is published as the Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk speaks at the Civil Justice Council National Forum about the importance of early intervention for those facing legal issues.

Other activity supported by the government include a partnership between the MOJ and Citizens Advice to deliver the Flourish Wellbeing Hub in the Wirral which provides access to early legal advice alongside healthcare provision to tackle complex or multiple issues in one space.

The Hub opened in November 2022 and will continue to benefit from a total of £145,000 of MOJ investment up to 2025.

Social welfare and legal advice is provided through organisations including Citizens Advice, Involve Northwest and Age UK, who can quickly work together with other partners Mind UK and Grow Change Live to identify solutions and provide the right support before problems worsen.

Reports into supportive initiatives run by the department are published today online here:

Flourish Wellbeing Hub Report

Housing Disrepair Online Signposting Tool Report

Legal Support for Litigants in Person Report

Integrated Advice Hubs Report

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 14 November 2023.

Cowardly domestic abusers will continue to face time behind bars under legislation laid in Parliament today which will also see the most horrific murderers face life behind bars and rapists locked up for longer.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 13 November 2023.

The Lord Chancellor, after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice, has announced the appointment of Matthew Jackson as member of the Tribunal Procedure Committee.

The Lord Chancellor has announced the appointment of Matthew Jackson as member of the Tribunal Procedure Committee (TPC) for 3 years from 7 November 2023 to 6 November 2026.

Mr Jackson was called to the bar in 2011, and practises primarily in employment & discrimination and public law from Cloisters Chambers. He is a member of the Industrial Law Society and Employment Lawyers association and has contributed to the Crown Court Compendium.

He has declared no political activity.

The TPC was established, on 19 May 2008, under the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act (TCEA) 2007 to make rules governing practice and procedure in the First-tier and Upper Tribunals. The introduction of the Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 transferred responsibility for Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) procedure rules to the TPC.

This appointment is made by the Lord Chancellor,and regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and comply with the Cabinet Office Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 7 November 2023.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 1 November 2023.

The Secretary of State for Justice has approved the reappointments of Susannah Hancock, Jacob Sakil, and Louise Shorter as members of the Youth Justice Board.

The Secretary of State has reappointed Susannah Hancock, Jacob Sakil, and Louise Shorter as members of the Youth Justice Board (YJB) for 3 years from 1 December 2023 until 30 November 2026.

Susannah Hancock is the Chief Operating Officer for the National Fire Chiefs Council. She was previously Chief Executive of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners. Before that she was Assistant Chief Executive of Victim Support and Chief Executive of the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in Essex. Between 2004-2008, she served as Head of London for the YJB.

Jacob Sakil: Since 2017, Jacob has been a passionate advocate for youth social action and community engagement. He is the founder of American Bites start-up, Youth Justice Service representative and sits on the Business in the Community’s (BITC) Place Taskforce supporting the collaborative potential of business to strengthen communities around the UK.

Louise Shorter is founder and investigator of Inside Justice; a registered charity which investigates alleged miscarriages of justice on behalf of prisoners who maintain their innocence. She is also a Board member of Inside Time; a not-for-profit newspaper for prisoners and an Associate Tutor at the School of Law, University of East Anglia.

All 3 have not declared any political activity.

The YJB is a non-departmental public body, responsible for overseeing the youth justice system in England and Wales. Its primary function is to monitor the operation of the youth justice system and the provision of youth justice services.

Reappointments to the YJB are made by the Secretary of State for Justice and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. These reappointments comply with the Cabinet Office Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 31 October 2023.

The future of the UK’s legal services in an era of artificial intelligence (AI) were at the heart of discussions at the world’s largest gathering of legal professionals in Paris this week.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 25 October 2023.

Fees for barristers who help vulnerable witnesses and victims to pre-record a cross examination will rise to £1,000, the government announced today (25 October 2023).