Tag: Ministry of Justice

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

The Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Rt Hon. Dominic Raab MP, has announced the Royal Appointment of Helen Pitcher OBE as the Chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission.

She will hold the role for 3 years from 1 January 2023, until 31 December 2025.

The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) is the statutory independent selection body for judicial appointments in the courts and tribunals of England and Wales, and for some UK-wide tribunals. The Chair is appointed by His Majesty the King on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor.

Ms Pitcher’s appointment follows a report from the Justice Select Committee into her suitability for the role, published on 7 December, and a public hearing with the committee held on 6 December.

Helen Pitcher biography

Helen Pitcher OBE is currently chair of the: Criminal Case Review Commission: the Public Chairs Forum and; Advanced Boardroom Excellence Ltd. Ms Pitcher holds two Non-Executive roles: C and C Group and; UB UK (part of Yildz Holdings). Prior to this Ms Pitcher was: Chairman of Pladis Global between 2015-19; the Queen’s Counsel Selection Panel between 2009-17 and; Director at Saville Group PLC between 2008-13.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 30 December 2022.

Statistics released this morning show how many offenders have been made to wear a tag over the Christmas and New Year period, which work by monitoring the alcohol content in an individual’s sweat.

Last Christmas around 800 offenders wore the device, just 12 months later the figure has more than doubled – helping to tackle alcohol-related crime over the festive period.

The tags are accurate enough to distinguish between foods that contain low-levels of alcohol – such as brandy sauce on Christmas Pudding – and drinks such as mulled wine that offenders could get drunk from.

Offenders banned from alcohol by the courts have stayed sober on 97% of the days they were tagged, but those who do drink can face returning to court for further punishment, including prison.

39% of all violent crime in the UK involves alcohol, including domestic abuse which can rise during the festive period as figures provided by charities such as Women’s Aid have often demonstrated.

Prisons and Probation Minister, Damian Hinds, said:

Alcohol-fuelled crime such as domestic abuse is known to spike over the festive period, but our new alcohol tags can help stop that – protecting victims and tackling the causes of offending.

We’re investing £183 million in electronic monitoring and the increased use of sobriety tags is already helping to keep our communities safer.

Alcohol tags are part of the government’s £183 million investment over the next 3 years to use innovative tagging technology to help tackle crime, with roughly 12,000 tagging orders expected to be made during this period.

The tags were first rolled out in 2020 as a punishment for alcohol-fuelled crimes and are also used to help keep the public safe from offenders considered likely to commit crimes when drunk.

They monitor alcohol bans for offenders on community sentences handed down by judges or magistrates and can also be used as a licence condition for prison leavers.

Roughly 20% of those supervised by probation are classed as having a drink problem and alcohol-fuelled crime is estimated to cost our society £21 billion per year.

Last year, the government launched another world-first, using GPS tags to track robbers, thieves and burglars. Around 10,000 tagging orders are expected to be made over the next 3 years to help stop criminals from reoffending and help police catch them if they carry on.

The £183 million investment over the next 3 years will nearly double the number of defendants on tags at any one time from 13,500 in 2021 to 25,000 by 2025.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 23 December 2022.

His Majesty The King has approved the appointment of 95 barristers and solicitors as new King’s Counsel (KC) in England and Wales.

His Majesty has also approved the appointment of 9 legal figures to receive Honorary King’s Counsel awards.

The title of KC is awarded to those who have demonstrated particular skill and expertise in the conduct of advocacy.

Honorary KCs are awarded to those who have made a major contribution to the law of England and Wales, outside practice in the courts.

The Lord Chancellor will preside over the appointment ceremony at Westminster Hall on 27 March 2023, where he will formally bestow the titles.

Biographies of honorary King’s Counsel

John Battle is a leading figure and driving force behind the issue of filming court proceedings, leading the broadcast industry group (BBC, ITN, Sky, PA), and is recognised for his commitment to his extensive work between the media, MoJ and senior judiciary.

Lionel Bently is a universally respected professor of intellectual property law at the University of Cambridge. He was nominated for his publications which rank among the most influential texts in intellectual property law and for playing a crucial role in influencing intellectual property law in this jurisdiction and beyond.

Richard Edwin Ekins is a legal academic and Professor of Law and Constitutional Government at the University of Oxford. He is the author of a number of highly influential books and journal articles. Since 2015, he has led Policy Exchange’s Judicial Power Project and has made a major contribution to public debate, and parliamentary deliberation, about the constitutional role of the courts.

Rosemary Hunter is Professor of Law and Socio-Legal Studies and Head of the Law School at the University of Kent. She is a leading scholar in the study of the Family Justice system and sits as the Academic Member of the Family Justice Council. Her work in the important field of domestic abuse has directly affected legislative developments.

Dr Ann Olivarius is an American British lawyer widely recognised for her leading role in the fields of women’s rights, sexual harassment and sexual abuse. She has been at the forefront of the fight against image-based sexual abuse and privacy violations. She played an instrumental part in lobbying Parliament to pass laws against the disclosure of non-consensual private images

Richard Susskind OBE FRSE holds professorships at the University of Oxford, Gresham College and Strathclyde University. He has worked in technology and law for 40 years and has written many related books. He has been recognised for his work promoting technology and innovation in legal and court services across England and Wales.

James Wakefield was instrumental in establishing the Council of the Inns of Court as a charity and founding the Inns of Court College of Advocacy. The College introduced a new two part Bar Course. He also helped to write new sanctions guidance for the Bar. These demonstrate his commitment to promoting access to the profession and encouraging retention of those from under-represented groups.

Julian Vincent Roberts is Emeritus Professor of Criminology at the University of Oxford and Executive Director of the Sentencing Academy. He is recognised as a leading academic authority in England and Wales on sentencing theory, policy, and practice; his work has made a major contribution to the analysis and development of sentencing worldwide.

Sir Michael Wood has contributed much to the progressive development and codification of international law. He is a long-serving member of the UN International Law Commission (ILC). As a prominent member of the ILC he has made an invaluable and lasting contribution to international law as it is taught and applied in the UK and beyond.

Applicant
No Title Applicant Name
49846 Ms Apps, Katherine
42582 Dr Armstrong, Nicholas James Buchanan
48545 Mr Atrill, Simon Paul
42169 Mr Baker, Richard
34422 Mr Balysz, Mark
50235 Mr Baradon, Adam Hedley
38501 Ms Bhogal, Kuljit
45365 Mr Bowe, Timothy Michael
48787 Mr Brinsmead-Stockham, John
41463 Mr Brooks, Duncan John Macfarlane
34548 Mr Buckingham, Paul Richard
48956 Mr Casey, Noel
48215 Mr Cloherty, Adam
54004 Mr Cook, Alexander James
49022 Ms Darwin, Claire Louise
28984 Mr Davis, Richard Jolyon Harold
41776 Mr Davy, Neil Geoffrey
42844 Ms Den Besten, Ruth Michelle
49361 Mr Dhar, Siddharth
480409 Ms Donnelly, Kathleen
49192 Mr Dracos, Marcos Gregorios
36149 Mr Easton, Jonathan Mark
42560 Mr Edwards, Owen Meirion
32782 Ms Ellin, Nina Caroline
53334 Mr Eschwege, Richard John
48601 Miss Ferber, Iris
40351 Mr Fetto, Niazi Peter
41636 Mr FitzGerald, Benedict Andrew
47489 Ms Gartland, Dorothea Susan
46431 Mr Goodman, Alexander David Edmund
40822 Miss Greaney, Nicola Clare
40394 Mr Green, Garry Anthony
35693 Mr Grieves, Edward James
46760 Mr Horne, James Michael
23979 Mr Jarman, Mark
53340 Mr Jones, Michael David
42189 Mrs Karaiskos, Maria
46308 Mr Lask, Benjamin Bela David
46879 Mr Lavy, Matthew Montague
36408 Mr Lennon, John
24653 Mr Leonard, James
34786 Mr Lewis, Jonathan Mark
21818 Mr Lewis, Meyric
42670 Ms MacLynn, Claire Louise
393501 Mr McClure, Michael John
52684 Mr McCourt Fritz, Daniel William
Applicants recommended for appointment 2022
37878 Mr Middleton, Joseph
42888 Ms Misra, Eleena
49661 Miss Morris, Anna
53417 Mr Morrison, Craig David
47029 Ms Motraghi, Nadia Artemis
40197 Miss Mulholland, Helen Maureen
15941 Ms Murphy, Fiona Clare
32271 Miss Murray, Judith Rowena
47388 Mr Newton, Benjamin
49276 Ms Ní Ghrálaigh, Blinne Nessa Áine
45145 Miss Nolten, Sonia Jayne
57267 Ms Omeri, Sheryn
40343 Ms Paget, Henrietta Frances
45335 Ms Paterson, Fiona
52720 Mr Pearce, Luke Ricardo
39289 Mr Peters, Edward James Hedley
37509 Miss Phipps, Sarah Elizabeth
57539 Mr Piccinin, Daniel Peter Clement
51894 Ms Piercy, Catherine
36056 Mr Pliener, David Jonathan
37163 Miss Prager, Sarah
45841 Ms Prince, Laura Margaret
44696 Ms Reed, Lucy Emma
35901 Mr Rees, Christopher Lloyd
22445 Mr Reeve, Matthew Francis
40464 Ms Reindorf, Anna Katerina Awurakua
49817 Mr Richards, Thomas Alexander
34605 Mr Rose, Stephen Paul
44069 Mr Roy, Andrew Robert
30817 Ms Ruck, Mary Ida
42759 Mr Rule, Philip David
44461 Ms Sabic, Irena
31642 Mr Seddon, Duran
37247 Miss Shannon, Nicola Elizabeth Jane
44901 Mr Shaw, Benjamin Christopher
33072 Mr Simkin, Iain
36636 Mr Singh, Talbir
47872 Dr Smith, Henry Forbes
48532 Mr Spencer, Shaun Anthony
50369 Miss Sutton, Emma Naomi
42339 Mr Thomas, Michael James
39004 Mr Troup, Alexander William
45856 Miss van Overdijk, Claire Orit
45662 Miss Wade, Rebecca Lucy
48431 Mr Webb, William Rupert Nicholas
67261 Ms Welsh, Angeline Marie
45376 Ms Whitelaw, Francesca Lucy Kaye
41385 Mr Williams, Guy Donald Irwin
38700 Mr Worsley, Nicholas Frederick Avery

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 20 December 2022.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 16 December 2022.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 15 December 2022.

Victims are seeing significant improvements in the criminal justice system’s response to rape, a new report has revealed today.

18 months on from the government’s pivotal Rape Review Action plan – which sought to increase the volumes of trials being heard and ensure more rapists face justice – significant progress is being made according to the latest progress summary.

In the most recent data for 2022, the number of cases referred by the police to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was up 95 percent; the volume of cases charged was up by two-thirds; and the number of cases reaching the Crown Court was up 91 percent, compared to 2019 averages.

These figures come a week after the announcement of the first national 24/7 rape support line – the latest way in which the system is being drastically improved to better serve victims and justice.

From this enhanced initial support, victims are also benefitting from better collaboration between the police and prosecutors and less intrusive investigations, along with greater support through the court process.

These cross-system improvements mean that while there is much more to be done, the government is on track to meet its Rape Review target – to more than double the number of adult rape cases reaching court by the end of this parliament.

Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab said:

Rape convictions are up two thirds since last year and the number of CPS charges is also up by nearly two thirds from 2019.

But I want to make sure victims are properly supported throughout the criminal justice process. That is why we introduced a 24/7 rape and sexual abuse helpline, pre-recording of evidence in court to spare them the trauma of testifying during a live trial, and a new approach to police investigations that focuses on the behaviour of the suspect rather than the victim.

This progress is set out in an update on the reforms to the response to rape, published by the government today. Since the publication of the Rape Review Action plan in June 2021, the government has:

• Rolled out pre-recorded evidence for rape victims to every Crown Court in England and Wales, sparing them the trauma of testifying during live trial
• Launched a 24/7 rape support line to provide victims access to vital help and information whenever they need it.
• Expanded Operation Soteria to a further 14 police forces and to 3 new Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) areas.
• Passed new laws via the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act (2022) to stop unnecessary and intrusive requests for victims’ phones, with the majority of forces in position to ensure no victim should be without their devices for more than 24hrs by the end of March 2023.
• Consulted on further reducing requests for personal information, such as medical or social services records, with next steps being published shortly.
• Launched a specialist sexual violence support pilot at three Crown Courts – Leeds Newcastle, and Snaresbrook in London. It seeks to provide victims with enhanced at-court support and help increase throughput of cases. It includes the introduction of trauma-informed training for court staff, maximising the use of technology, and access to ISVAs at court.
• Quadrupled funding for victim support services to £192 million a year by 2025, this includes investment for the recruitment of 1000 Independent Sexual Violence Advisors.
• Amended the Online Safety Bill to better protect victims from abusers who share intimate images without consent.

This work is starting to deliver results. In 2021, the number of rape convictions increased by 67 percent compared to 2020, and the CPS is making charging decisions on average 29 days quicker according to the latest data available

Today’s update comes as the Home Office publishes an independent report outlining the findings on Operation Soteria, which brings together academics and police to improve rape case outcomes and aims to radically transform the way police and the CPS deal with rape – shifting the focus onto the suspect, rather than the victim.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

We need radical improvement in the way police handle rape cases. As a society, too often, we have failed the victims of sexual violence and that cannot continue.

This independent report shows that there are big obstacles to overcome and the whole of the criminal justice system needs to work together.

But there are also early signs of improvement and I’m determined to build on these to deliver a sustainable shift in the way rape is investigated.

Academics were brought into 5 ‘pathfinder’ police forces to work alongside frontline police officers and develop new tools for improvement – Avon and Somerset, the Metropolitan Police Service, Durham Constabulary, West Midlands Police and South Wales Police. Early indicators of change can already be seen, including stronger collaboration with prosecutors, improved organisational capability and more specialist knowledge of sexual offending being applied to investigations. A further 14 forces are now participating in the programme.

The national operating model will be tested and refined before being made available to all police forces nationwide from June 2023.

Emily Hunt, survivor and independent advisor to the government on the Rape Review, said:

This is only the start of the step change we need to make to truly tackle sexual violence.

While important progress is being made, we cannot rest on our laurels and must continue to ensure victims of rape aren’t just heard, believed and supported, but also have a better chance to see justice done.

Chief Constable Sarah Crew, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Adult Sexual Offences said:

Uncovering deep rooted and systemic issues within policing is the first big milestone in achieving the transformational change required to improve the policing response to rape. Everyone in policing recognises that we must do better and this programme has been met with a genuine willingness and openness to change.

The evidence tells as that building specialist knowledge, supported by critical thinking and a problem-solving mindset are among the most important changes we can make to tighten our grip on offenders and address falling conviction rates. Officers must target rapists by focusing on suspects – not the credibility of victims – and using their legal and policing powers to disrupt offenders and further harm.

We are seeing green shoots of change in pathfinder forces and after 18 months, Avon and Somerset have increasing their adult rape charge rate from 3% to over 10%. Improvements are being made at pace in pathfinder forces and I am confident this work will lead to the sustainable progress victims so desperately deserve.

Strategic Advisor for Operation Soteria Bluestone Professor Betsy Stanko (OBE), and Joint Academic Lead Professor Katrin Hohl said:

This genuine collaboration has provided unprecedented data access, enabling the academic team to form a holistic, nuanced picture of how pathfinder forces tackle rape and other sexual offending. Some of our research highlights issues raised by campaign groups and replicate findings of earlier work, including those of the end-to-end rape review, while others are new.

Our evidence informed and research grounded approach forms a robust evidence base, which sits at the heart of Operation Soteria Bluestone. The police-academic co-created solutions are starting to have traction, but our findings make clear the need for transformational change, there is lots of work to do.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 13 December 2022.

Vulnerable people struggling with debt will be better protected from rogue bailiffs under government plans to make body-worn cameras compulsory.

The move seeks to crackdown on the intimidating and aggressive behaviour of some private enforcement agents, commonly known as bailiffs, who prey on the most-at-risk.

While the majority act professionally and already voluntarily wear body-worn cameras, the government will make this a legal requirement to ensure all bailiffs are held accountable for their behaviour and make it easier for complaints to be investigated.

The courts will also be given a broader range of sanctioning powers, such as fines and training requirements, to punish high court enforcement agents who act inappropriately.

It comes as the government has also provided its backing to the Enforcement Conduct Board – a new independent oversight body that aims to hold the debt enforcement sector to account, drive up standards, and establish a clear set of guidelines for best practice.

Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab said:

We’re determined to protect vulnerable households which includes ensuring they’re not harassed by rogue bailiffs.

While the majority of bailiffs act above board, body-worn cameras will make sure those who abuse their powers can be held to account.

A review of the fees bailiffs can recover will also be launched in due course. It will ensure these are set at an appropriate level and consider whether more can be done to encourage debts to be settled without the upset and alarm that can be caused by  a visit to a person’s home.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 12 December 2022.

The first public parole hearing in UK history is set to go ahead today (12 December 2022) following reforms to increase transparency and improve victims’ experience of the parole system.

Convicted murderer Russell Causley, who killed his wife Carole Packman in 1985, will become the first prisoner to have a public parole hearing after the government lifted the ban on public hearings in July this year.

Causley was released from prison by the Parole Board in 2020 after serving 23 years for the murder but was brought back to jail by the Probation Service in November 2021 for breaching his licence conditions.

For the first time, victims, the public and media will get to attend a hearing and better understand how decisions over whether to release prisoners are made.

The change marks a major step in opening up the parole process, following calls for greater transparency after the subsequently reversed decision to release black cab rapist John Worboys in 2018.

Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab MP, said:

Pulling back the curtain on the parole process by allowing hearings to be heard in public is a major step forward for victims who want to see justice being done first-hand.

It marks the first step in our reforms to overhaul the system – putting victims and public protection front and centre of the process.

Public parole hearings form part of the government’s root and branch reforms to restore public confidence in the parole system and put victims at the heart of the process. Under previous rules, victims could ask for a personal statement to be read out on their behalf but were not allowed to witness parts of the hearing.

The government has already introduced a raft of changes since the reforms were announced in March this year. This includes tightening up the rules around open prison moves so all indeterminate sentence offenders – those who have committed the most serious crimes, including murder and rape – face much stricter criteria to move from closed to open prison.

Further reforms, including a tougher release test for parole prisoners and new powers for the Justice Secretary to block the release of dangerous offenders, are also set to be introduced.

Other measures include increasing the number of Parole Board members with law enforcement backgrounds who can bring their experience of keeping the public safe to parole decision making.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 8 December 2022.

Thousands more immigration cases will be heard over the next few months, speeding up decisions on removing people with no right to be in the UK.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 7 December 2022.

Victims of rape across England and Wales will have access to round-the-clock support as a new 24/7 Support Line is launched today (7 December 2022).

Specialist operators – available via telephone or webchat – will be on hand at any time to provide victims with vital information and emotional support. This includes signposting to local, longer-term services such as Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA).

The government-funded service will be operated by Rape Crisis England & Wales who have over 3 decades’ experience running a helpline for rape and sexual abuse survivors. It will be available to anyone aged 16 years and over who has experienced any form of sexual violence and abuse, at any point in their life.

The support line has been launched in time for the festive season when reports of sexual violence are known to increase. At least 1 in 4 women and 1 in 20 men have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult.

Research shows that victims who speak to an ISVA are 49% less likely to withdraw from the criminal justice process. This means that the more support a survivor receives, the more likely it is their attacker will be brought to justice.

Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab said:

Making sure that victims of rape and sexual abuse have support whenever they need it is not only the right thing to do – it will also help us to bring more perpetrators to justice.

When victims feel believed and supported, they are much more likely to stay the course in the criminal justice process. This vital helpline will have a major role to play in providing the support victims need, and in bringing more vile criminals to justice.

The Support Line delivers on a key pledge in the government’s Rape Review Action Plan which seeks to boost support for victims, improve confidence in the system and increase the number of cases reaching court.

The plan sets out clear actions for the police, prosecutors, and courts – to roll out a new approach to investigations, reduce the number of victims withdrawing from the process, increase the volumes of trials being heard, protect the public and put more rapists behind bars.

This work is starting to deliver results. In 2021, the number of rape convictions increased by 67% compared to 2020, and the CPS is making charging decisions on average 29 days quicker according to the latest data available. In September, the government also completed the roll out of pre-recorded evidence for rape victims to every Crown Court nationwide – sparing them the trauma of testifying under the full glare of a courtroom.

Jayne Butler, CEO of Rape Crisis England and Wales:

We are proud to have developed and now be launching the 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line, an important addition to the specialist support available for anyone 16 and over in England and Wales who has been impacted by sexual violence and abuse.

No matter when or where it happened – we are here for you. If you contact us we will always listen to you and believe you, and we will never judge.

Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid said:

We welcome the government’s investment in a 24/7 support helpline, delivered by the great long-standing specialist service Rape Crisis, to provide round-the-clock support for survivors of sexual violence. We hope this will ensure survivors get the right response, first time – which we know is key to recovery after abuse. We’re hopeful this will also lead to an improvement in reporting and convictions of sexual offences.

As well as providing much-needed support to survivors, it is crucial we send a strong message to women that they will be heard, they will be believed, and they will be helped.

Emily Hunt, independent advisor to the government on the Rape Review, said:

After I was raped, I quite literally was begging for help and support. And there wasn’t any – at least not when I needed it. Now, victims in England and Wales can reach out to trained specialists on the support line, whether it’s 2am or 2pm, whether they want to speak to someone on the phone or use web chat.

They will be heard, they will be believed and they will be helped. This is the service that I needed then, and I am so happy to have been involved in making sure that victims now have the support that I didn’t.

Today’s announcement builds on recent government work to drive improvements in the criminal justice system. This includes quadrupling funding for victim services and bringing forward a landmark Victims Bill which seeks to ensure they are better heard, served and supported at every stage.

Meanwhile, specialist sexual violence support is being piloted at 3 Crown Courts – Leeds Newcastle, and Snaresbrook in London. It seeks to provide victims with enhanced at-court support and help increase throughput of cases. This work includes the introduction of trauma-informed training for court staff, maximising the use of technology, and access to ISVAs at court.