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Tag: Ministry of Justice

  • PRESS RELEASE : Thousands more people benefit from free legal support [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Thousands more people benefit from free legal support [November 2023]

    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.

    • 33,000 people helped to tackle family, housing and debt problems
    • Over £3 million has helped support more people in need
    • Part of £25 million package of funding to boost legal support since 2015

    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

  • PRESS RELEASE : Victims to be protected through Sentencing Reforms [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Victims to be protected through Sentencing Reforms [November 2023]

    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.

    • Sentencing Bill to crackdown on violent offenders
    • Bill will see rapists spend their full custodial sentence in prison and Whole Life Orders for any murder involving sexual or sadistic conduct
    • The reforms to sentencing will also help low risk offenders escape the merry-go-around of short prison terms and turn their lives away from crime
    • Stalkers, abusers, and prolific offenders continue to face time behind bars

    As action is being taken to stop low risk offenders getting stuck in the revolving door of short prison sentences, the Government has confirmed that domestic abusers will continue to face jail, and judges will have full discretion to lock up any tormentor who puts an individual at significant risk of psychological or physical harm.

    Changes to shorter jail stints also won’t apply to those in front of the court for breaching a court order such as a restraining or stalking prevention order. This will keep the safety of women and girls at the heart of the criminal justice system.

    The announcement comes as the Sentencing Bill, which was set out in the King’s Speech, is introduced in the House of Commons.

    As part of this bill, the Government will bring in a raft of measures to better protect the British public from the worst offenders.

    Under the plans, the most heinous murderers will spend the rest of their lives locked up, including for any murder involving sexual or sadistic conduct. With Whole Life Orders being handed down in the worst cases, and judges only able to not impose one in exceptional circumstances, life will mean life.

    The new legislation will also mean rapists and criminals who commit other serious sexual offences spend their full custodial term in prison behind bars, making the average sentence for rape up 50% when the Government came to power in 2010.

    Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Chalk KC said:

    “We want domestic abuse victims to know this Government is on their side, so we will do everything possible to protect them from those who cause harm, or threaten to do so.

    “That’s why we are ensuring that judges retain full discretion to hand down prison sentences to domestic abusers  – to give victims the confidence to rebuild their lives knowing their tormentors are safely behind bars.”

    While custody is the only appropriate punishment for the most dangerous and violent offenders, for many, a short time in custody can begin a merry-go-round of reoffending that can devastate communities and leave countless more victims.

    That is why, through the Sentencing Bill, there will be a presumption on the courts to suspend custodial sentences of twelve months or less. This is backed by government statistics which show over 50 per cent of offenders serving a sentence of 12 months or less go on to commit another crime compared to 58 per cent of those serving six months or less.

    Where suspended sentences are given, offenders will be punished in the community, repaying their debt to society by cleaning up our neighbourhoods and scrubbing graffiti off walls. They will also be strictly overseen by the Probation Service and subject to license conditions which could include state-of-the-art electronic monitoring tags and curfews.

    They will also be able to better access drug and alcohol rehab, mental healthcare and other support that properly addresses the root causes of their offending.

    In order to reduce the number of offenders trapped in the revolving prison door, the Sentencing Bill will:

    • Introduce a presumption to suspend prison sentences of 12 months or less in certain circumstances.
    • Expand the use of Home Detention Curfew (HDC) to suitable offenders serving sentences of four years or more.

    Judges will retain their discretion to hand down custodial sentences where they feel it is right in the circumstances of the case.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Tribunal Procedure Committee member appointed [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Tribunal Procedure Committee member appointed [November 2023]

    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.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Law Commissioner appointed [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Law Commissioner appointed [November 2023]

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

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of Professor Alison Young as the Law Commissioner for Public Law and the Law in Wales for 5 years from 18 March 2024.

    The Law Commission was created by the Law Commissions Act 1965 with the role of keeping under review the law of England and Wales with a view to its systematic development and reform. The Law Commission promotes the reform of the law to make it clearer, more modern and more accessible. The Commission’s projects bring real benefits to the public, businesses or other organisations affected by old, complex and out-of-date law.

    Appointments to the Law Commission are made by the Lord Chancellor and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. This appointment has been made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    Biography

    Professor Young is the Sir David Williams Professor of Public Law at the University of Cambridge, and a Fellow of Robinson College. She is also an academic associate at 39 Essex Chambers and an Emeritus Fellow of Hertford College, Oxford.

    Before joining the University of Cambridge, Professor Young studied for a Law (with French) degree at the University of Birmingham, spending a year at the Université de Limoges. She then completed the BCL and D Phil at Hertford College, University of Oxford. She spent three years as a Tutorial Fellow at Balliol College, Oxford, before returning to Hertford as a Fellow in Law and later Professor of Public Law at the University of Oxford.

    Professor Young has not declared any political activity.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Reappointment to the Youth Justice Board [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Reappointment to the Youth Justice Board [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.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK’s leading legal expertise promoted at world’s largest law conference [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK’s leading legal expertise promoted at world’s largest law conference [October 2023]

    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.

    • Justice Minister at world’s biggest legal services event to promote UK expertise
    • Supporting UK-France legal services trade worth almost £400 million annually
    • Expert discussions on future of sector including potential of AI and lawtech

    Justice Minister Mike Freer has spoken about the benefits of AI which is set to transform the work of lawyers and is being spear-headed by the UK’s thriving lawtech industry.

    He took part in sessions during the International Bar Association annual conference to discuss collaboration between UK lawyers and their counterparts around the world.

    The UK legal sector generated over £41 billion in revenue in 2021 and is a key UK export industry.

    This event comes as the UK Government hosts the first global AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park putting the country at the forefront of promoting action on the safe and responsible development of AI. The UK’s twin role leading on lawtech and AI regulation will help futureproof the country’s world-leading legal services sector without compromising on ethics, accuracy, and quality.

    Minister Freer also met Julie Couturier, President of the Paris Bar, and hold talks to help boost trade in legal services between the UK and France which totalled close to £400 million in 2021.

    Justice Minister Mike Freer said:

    Our thriving legal services market allows us to take our expertise to countries all over the world and brings in billions of pounds to our economy every year.

    It is a hugely important area alongside our trailblazing lawtech sector and the conference offers a fantastic opportunity show the world how the UK is harnessing AI technology in law.

    Minister Freer spoke at the conference, highlighting the continued importance of using English and Welsh law in contracts around the world, the benefits of international legal collaboration, and how to improve global partnerships between legal firms, governments, and regulatory bodies.

    He was accompanied by a delegation of UK legal experts organised by the Ministry of Justice’s GREAT Legal Services campaign, marking the latest in a series of events to promote the UK’s thriving legal services sector internationally.

    This engagement follows a meeting between Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk and French Justice Minister, Eric Dupond Moretti, this summer and wider work to promote UK legal services through GREAT activity.

    The GREAT Legal Services campaign was launched in 2017 to promote and support the strength of English and Welsh Law, the UK’s world-renowned independent judiciary, and our legal expertise to the global market.

    The International Bar Association conference is the legal sector’s largest international event, with more than 5,000 attendees expected from law firms, governments, and regulators globally.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Barrister fee increase to help vulnerable victims bring attackers to justice [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Barrister fee increase to help vulnerable victims bring attackers to justice [October 2023]

    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).

    • fees for barristers working on pre-recorded evidence increased to £1,000
    • pre-record helps victims of rape and sexual assault give best evidence sooner
    • allows more people give testimony to bring more rapists and abusers to justice

    The recording takes place as close to the time of the offence as possible, while memories remain fresh, and helps victims avoid the stress of giving evidence in a live trial setting, which many find traumatic.

    This fee increase seeks to increase the number of barristers available for such hearings to reduce victim dropout rates and bring more rape and sexual assault cases to trial.

    A research report published in April found that rape victims who pre-record their evidence are more likely to have a better experience of the court process and find it less intimidating. It also meant they were able to access vital support services earlier, such as therapy, without fear that it could be used against them in cross-examination.

    The government is determined to stamp out appalling crimes such as rape and domestic abuse and has launched an action plan to overhaul the criminal justice system to transform support for victims, drive up prosecutions and ensure cases are investigated fully. All three ambitions in this plan have been met eighteen months ahead of schedule, restoring the number of police referrals to the CPS, CPS charges and cases reaching the Crown Court to 2016 levels.

    Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk, said:

    Boosting payments for this work will help more sexual violence victims testify earlier, away from the full glare of a courtroom.

    It’s the latest step in our ongoing work to further increase the number of rape victims getting support and justice.

    Pre-recording of evidence allows victims and witnesses of crimes such as rape and modern slavery to have their cross-examination video-recorded and played later during trial. This is subject to a successful application to the court.

    Fees were originally set at £670 in January when the government announced barristers would receive advance payments for work on pre-recorded evidence and for any wasted preparation for the first time.

    This increase comes after an agreed review and as part of the ongoing work with the professional bodies under the new Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board, chaired by Her Honour Deborah Taylor.

    Government investment in the criminal legal aid system is expected to reach £1.2 billion a year, after the recent 15 per cent uplift in barrister fees and fees for most solicitors. This includes:

    • police station work, including pre-charge engagement
    • magistrates’ court work, including youth court
    • Criminal Cases Review Commission work
    • advocates’ graduated fees
    • expert fees

    The fee rise will come into effect as soon as possible when parliamentary time allows.

    Note to editors

    Fees are increasing from £670 (+VAT) to £1,000 (+VAT)

  • PRESS RELEASE : Non-judicial member appointed to the Sentencing Council [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Non-judicial member appointed to the Sentencing Council [October 2023]

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

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of Johanna Robinson as a non-judicial member of the Sentencing Council with experience of the promotion of the welfare of victims of crime.

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of Johanna Robinson as a non-judicial member, with experience of the promotion of the welfare of victims of crime, for 3 years from 5 October 2023.

    The Sentencing Council (SC) was established under Section 118(1) of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 to promote greater transparency and consistency in sentencing, whilst maintaining the independence of the judiciary. The SC’s responsibilities include: developing sentencing guidelines and monitoring their use; assessing the impact of guidelines on sentencing practice; and promoting the understanding of and increasing public confidence in sentencing and the criminal justice system.

    The appointment of non-judicial SC members is made by the Lord Chancellor after consulting the Lord Chief Justice.

    The appointment of non-judicial SC members are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and recruitment processes comply with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    Biography

    Ms Robinson was appointed, in September 2022, as one of the National Advisers on Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence for the Welsh Government. She provides expert perspective to the development and implementation of policy across the Welsh Government; working with victims and survivors to ensure their experience informs policy development. From 2016 – 2018, she served as Head of Victims Services for Gwent Police and, from 2013 – 2016, as the National Development Manager for The Survivors Trust.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New prison ‘no-fly zones’ for drug-delivering drones [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New prison ‘no-fly zones’ for drug-delivering drones [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 23 October 2023.

    Vast new ’no-fly zones’ will be enforced over all prisons in England and Wales to crack down on gangs using drones to smuggle drugs, phones and weapons that drive criminality behind bars.

    • new airspace restrictions to create 400 metre ‘no-fly zones’ around prisons
    • offenders who break the rules face up to ten years behind bars
    • tough new security measures to cut key supply route of illegal drugs and phones

    New legislation made this week will make it an automatic offence to fly drones within 400 metres of any closed prison or young offender institution in England and Wales. Drone operators that break the rules could face fines of up to £2,500 while those found smuggling illicit items will face up to 10 years in prison.

    Drone sightings at prisons have increased sharply in recent years and current air space restrictions mean police can only act on drone sightings where there is evidence of contraband being illegally smuggled.

    By creating a virtual ‘no-fly zone’ around prison airspace, the new restrictions mean police and prison staff will be able to act quickly to identify suspicious drones and take swift action against suspected criminal activity, as well as enhancing security by preventing illegal filming.

    Prisons Minister Damian Hinds said:

    This is the latest step in the war we are winning to stop drugs, weapons and phones getting into our prisons.

    These virtual ‘no-fly’ zones – along with our new airport-style X-ray scanners – mean we can clamp down better than ever on violence behind bars to keep both prisoners and staff safe from harm.

    Between 2019 and 2021, 504 drones were either sighted, intercepted or seized around prisons in England and Wales, and police and prison staff have worked together to help secure more than 70 convictions since June 2016. Those sentenced are serving more than 240 years in prison.

    A single attempted drone delivery in May 2022 contained a payload of over £35,000 worth of illicit substances and contraband. This included 399 buprenorphine tablets, around 30 grammes of cannabis and 11 mobile phones.

    Today’s announcement (23 October 2023) follows a £100 million investment to bolster prison security across the estate – including 75 additional x-ray body scanners and airport-style Enhanced Gate Security at 42 high-risk prison sites, implementing routine searching of staff and visitors.

    The new restrictions were made into law on Monday 16 October 2023, with the support of Department of Transport and Civil Aviation Authority. It will take effect from 25 January 2024.

    The new measures will build on current legislation including the Air Traffic and Unmanned Aircraft Act 2021 (ATUMA), which gives police the power to intercept or seize drones suspected of being used to break the law, as well as any use of drones which break the Prison Act 1952 – such as through smuggling drugs and weapons.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Barrier to employment lifted for thousands of ex-offenders [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Barrier to employment lifted for thousands of ex-offenders [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 30 October 2023.

    Over 120,000 former offenders will find it easier to get work and turn their lives away from crime following a change in the law.

    • law change will help ex-offenders turn their back on crime and reduce reoffending
    • certain custodial sentences will no longer need to be declared removing a significant barrier to offenders rebuilding their lives
    • most serious offenders exempt from changes to keep the public safe

    These changes significantly reduce the time people with criminal convictions are legally required to declare them to most potential employers after serving their sentence and when applying for courses, insurance and housing.

    Under the previous rules, some offenders needed to disclose their sentences for the rest of their lives, even for crimes committed decades earlier, a significant barrier to them getting a job and rebuilding their lives.

    Now, custodial sentences of four years or more years for less serious crimes become ‘spent’ after a seven-year period of rehabilitation, as long as no further offence is committed.

    Offenders who have committed serious sexual, violent, or terrorist offences are excluded from these changes to ensure this does not result in an increased risk to the public.

    Stricter disclosure rules will continue to apply to jobs that involve working with vulnerable people, through standard and enhanced DBS checks.

    The Ministry of Justice has also brought in changes that will mean offenders serving shorter sentences for less serious crimes will need to declare their criminal record for shorter periods, helping turn their lives away from crime.

    Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk KC, said:

    Carrying the weight of life-long criminal records even after serving their time is a huge barrier for many offenders seeking to reintegrate into society and turn away from a life of crime.

    These reforms will help ex-offenders get the steady income, routine and purpose they need which cuts reoffending and ensures fewer members of the public become victims of crime.

    The reforms came into force on Saturday (28 October 2023) under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. They will immediately impact thousands of people with previously unspent convictions, and many more each year. Nearly 125,000 people sentenced in 2022 alone will benefit from these changes.

    Increasing the number of ex-offenders into jobs has formed a key part of the government’s work to reduce reoffending, which costs the taxpayer up to £18 billion each year. Research shows that former offenders in steady employment are nine percentage points less likely to commit further crimes.

    Rapid progress has been made to boost employment for prison leavers, with the number of ex-offenders who have been successfully steered into jobs within 6 months more than doubling from 14% to 30% since April 2021.

    The government has also recently announced reforms to give the lowest risk, and first-time offenders, the greatest chance to turn their lives around. By legislating that there should be a presumption against prison sentences of less than 12 months, these offenders will be punished in the community, repaying their debt to society by cleaning up our neighbourhoods and scrubbing graffiti off walls. This will help these offenders stay in work, connected to their families and better access the drug rehab and mental healthcare needed to properly addresses the root causes of their offending.

    Naomi, who has previous convictions but has since been supported into steady employment with charity Recycling Lives, knows from experience how a criminal record can hinder opportunities to move away from a life of crime. She said:

    This legislation is a massive step forward in improving rehabilitation opportunities and relationships between ex-offenders and employers.

    It’s about eradicating stereotypical views and allowing ex-offenders to blossom in the life they have worked hard to create.

    Unlock, a charity that supports ex-offenders to overcome the long-term disadvantages caused by their convictions, has also welcomed the law change. Dr Jo Easton, Joint Interim CEO, said:

    We see first-hand through our helpline and advice service that having to disclose a criminal record introduces multiple barriers in everyday life; especially finding a job, somewhere to live, insurance or even accessing higher education.

    While we are calling for even more fundamental reform to the criminal record system, these changes will make a huge difference for thousands of people, giving them the chance to move on with their lives much sooner.

    Employment Advisory Boards have been established at 92 prisons over the last two years, linking business leaders with their local prisons to offer their expertise on the skills, qualifications and training needed to help prisoners re-enter the workforce.

    Dedicated job experts have been recruited in every resettlement prison in England and Wales and the Prison Service has been hosting “Unlocked” job fairs which help match prison leavers with potential employers in sectors ranging from hospitality to construction.