Tag: Ministry of Justice

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 15 July 2025.

Victims of miscarriages of justice will be eligible for greater compensation to rebuild their lives following a proposed increase in the compensation cap.

Currently, the maximum amount of compensation payable under the miscarriage of justice system in England and Wales is £1 million for 10 or more years imprisonment or £500,000 for up to 10 years.

The caps will be raised by 30%, taking the maximum amounts to £1.3 million and £650,000 respectively. This is an important part of the government’s Plan for Change, creating a fairer and better justice system.

Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood, said:

Fairness is the ideal that underpins our justice system. Where it has failed to meet that ideal, victims of devastating miscarriages of justice must be able to rebuild their lives.

This uplift will ensure victims are compensated for the crimes they did not commit and the years they cannot get back.

Once eligible, the level of compensation is decided by an independent assessor. Caps on compensation were introduced in 2008 and have not been increased since.

The miscarriage of justice compensation scheme is designed to help individuals restart and rebuild their lives. It is just one route in which an individual can receive compensation for a wrongful conviction, with other options including suing public bodies.

In order to be eligible for a payment under the scheme individuals must:

• Apply within 2 years of being pardoned or having their conviction reversed as a result of a newly discovered fact
• Have been pardoned had their conviction reversed on the basis of a new fact which demonstrates beyond reasonable doubt they did not commit the offence
• Not be responsible for the non-disclosure of the new fact

This increase is also applicable to wrongful convictions in the Armed Forces.

Further information

• Statutory caps on miscarriages of justice sit in the Criminal Justice Act 1988, and the Armed Forces Act 2006.
• Previously, the cap for 10 years or more was £1 million
• For less than 10 years it was £500,000
• You can apply to Miscarriage of Justice Application Service (MOJAS) for compensation if your conviction has been quashed by the courts. These conditions apply:

1. Your appeal was successful and it was submitted 28 days or more after your conviction in the Crown Court, or 21 days or more after sentencing for a conviction in a magistrate’s court
2. Your conviction was overturned after it was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC)
3. You’ve been granted a free pardon

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 15 July 2025.

The Lord Chancellor has approved the reappointment of Mark Beaton, as a non-executive board member of the Ministry of Justice, for 3 years from 15 July 2025.

MOJ non-executive board members exercise their role through influence and advice, supporting as well as challenging the executive, and covering such issues as:

• Support, guidance and challenge on the progress and implementation of the Outcome Delivery Plan.
• Performance, operational issues, adherence to relevant standards and on the effective management of the Department.
• The recruitment, appraisal, and suitable success planning of senior executives.

The appointment and reappointments of MOJ departmental board non-executive board members are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and reappointment process comply with the Cabinet Office Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Biography

Prior to joining the Ministry of Justice, Mark Beaton worked for 27 years for Accenture; one of the World’s leading Technology, Consulting and Outsourcing organisations.  During this time, he served on the Board of Accenture Operations and was a Global Leader in the Outsourcing business. He also led the Cloud and Security businesses for Europe. Mark spent 10 years working in the Technology, Digital and Consulting businesses as a consultant, including many years in Public Service for clients such as DWP.

Mark was also the Executive Global Sponsor for Equality, Inclusion and Diversity for 187,000 people in Accenture Operations. After retiring from Accenture, Mark has worked for the past three and a half years as a Non-Executive Director in the NHS.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 14 July 2025.

The Lord Chancellor has approved the reappointment of Habib Motani as a non-lay member of the Legal Services Board for four years from 18 April 2026.

Mr Motani qualified as a solicitor in 1980. He is a Consultant to Clifford Chance LLP having spent over 30 years as a partner in the firm’s banking and finance practice. He is a Visiting Professor at the School of Law at the University of Edinburgh and a Trustee at: The British Institute of International and Comparative Law, the Institute of Ismaili Studies and The Aga Khan University (International) in the United Kingdom. He is also a member of the Steering Group of the Canary Wharf Multi-faith Chaplaincy.

The Legal Services Board (LSB) is the independent body overseeing the regulation of lawyers in England and Wales. Its goal is to reform and modernise the legal services marketplace by putting the interests of consumers at the heart of the system. It is independent of government and the legal profession and oversees the approved regulators, which themselves regulate lawyers.

The LSB also oversees the Office for Legal Complaints and its administration of the Legal Ombudsman scheme that resolves complaints about lawyers.

Appointments and reappointments are made, by the Lord Chancellor, under the Legal Services Act 2007 and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. This reappointment has been made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 2 July 2025.

Businesses will save time and money on repetitive legal action thanks to new international rules in force across the UK from 1 July 2025.

I am delighted to confirm that, as of 1st July 2025, the Hague Convention of 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters – commonly known as ‘Hague 2019’ – has entered into force for the UK.

Hague 2019 means judgments from UK courts will be easily recognised and enforced in the courts of other countries that have signed up to the Convention, and vice versa.

Hague 2019 aims to reduce court costs in international cases. It will promote access to justice for UK citizens as they live, work and do business across borders and drive economic growth for UK businesses by underpinning confidence in trade.

This is a big step in strengthening the UK’s cooperation with our international partners, particularly the EU.

Hague 2019 marks the first new agreement to apply in this area of law between the UK and the EU since EU Exit.

With a potentially global reach, there are already 30 Contracting Parties to Hague 2019 with several more soon to join.

We look forward to applying the Convention with both current and future parties for the benefit of all our citizens and businesses.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 2 July 2025.

Thousands of criminals could soon be managed by revolutionary new technology to enhance how the justice system monitors offenders and cuts reoffending.

On Tuesday 01 July, seven top tech companies pitched their ideas to the Prisons and Probation’s Minister, James Timpson, as part of a Dragon’s Den style pitch, after being whittled down from over 90 submissions.

The finalists included companies developing AI home monitoring which will toughen up punishment outside of prison. Cameras would be installed inside offenders’ homes, with artificial intelligence used to analyse offenders’ behaviours ensuring they comply with licence conditions.

Other radical tech ideas included ‘smell detector’ devices which use synthetic brain cells and AI to replicate the behaviour of a human nose. The tech will help deliver enhanced surveillance and detect the use of drugs, such as Spice or Fentanyl, offering prison and probation a swift way to detect drugs and boost staff safety.

Additional proposals included software to standardise how staff input information on offenders, alongside transcription tools to cut the administrative burden and cost to taxpayers, while allowing staff to focus more of their time on cutting crime.

The successful businesses will have their proposals considered for pilot rollouts, helping staff on the front line to tackle violence in prison and monitor offenders.

This follows the Government’s response to the Independent Sentencing Review, which recommended the greater use of technology and community sentencing in a bid to tackle the inherited crisis in our prisons system.

Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending Minister, James Timpson, said:

We inherited a justice system in crisis and in need of reform. Prisons and probation are working in analogue while tech drives forward a new digital age.

That’s why we have invited companies to present bold new ideas to help us deliver tough punishment and enhanced surveillance. Embracing new technologies will help us to protect victims, reduce reoffending and cut crime as part of our Plan for Change.

In the Spending Review, the Government announced that the Probation Service will receive up to £700 million, an almost 45% increase in funding. This new funding will mean tens of thousands more offenders can be tagged and monitored in the community.

These technological solutions follow the publication of recent research that confirms curfew tags, which keep offenders at home and off the streets during certain times, can reduce reoffending by 20 per cent. This demonstrates how even older technology is supporting punishment in the community and cutting crime.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 2 July 2025.

His Majesty The King has approved the reappointment of Douglas Marshall as the Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman.

His Majesty The King, on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor, has approved the reappointment – for 5 years from 1 March 2026 – of Douglas Marshall as Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman.

The reappointment of the Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and has been made under Paragraph 1 of Schedule 13 of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.

Biography

Douglas Marshall is Pathways to Impact Manager at Childlight; Global Child Safety Institute based in Edinburgh, working to combat the global pandemic of child abuse. His previous career included 30 years’ service with Cumbria Constabulary retiring as a senior detective. At the latter end of his service, he was the Deputy National Co-ordinator on Operation Hydrant (the national policing response, oversight, and co-ordination of non-recent child sexual abuse). He returned to Cumbria Constabulary completing five years as a Police Staff Senior Investigating Officer. During his police service he was Senior Investigating Officer on several high-profile cases in Cumbria. He is formerly a director of a private investigation company in Scotland and has a consultancy for investigations.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 2 July 2025.

Vulnerable individuals at risk of eviction and homelessness will find it easier to access legal services, thanks to a historic boost in civil legal aid funding confirmed today (2 July) by Minister Sarah Sackman.

Following feedback from a consultation into civil legal aid, the Government will uplift the rates paid for all housing and immigration legal aid work. Providers will see significant increases in all fees, with the overall spending in these categories increasing by 24% for housing work and 30% for immigration work. This represents a significant investment – the first since 1996 – resulting in an increase of £20 million a year once fully implemented.

This extra funding means more people will get the support they need, when they need it – reducing stress and preventing delays in housing cases. At the same time, it will help speed up decision-making in immigration cases, ensuring a fairer, faster process for everyone involved. This is part of the Government’s Plan for Change to make the justice system more efficient, fair and accessible.

Justice Minister, Sarah Sackman KC MP, said:

This vital investment marks a turning point for civil legal aid by boosting funding to build capacity in the sector, helping to enable individuals, regardless of background or income, to uphold their legal rights.

As part of our Plan for Change we are ensuring that our legal aid providers can deliver vital support where it’s needed most.

This investment will help to ensure effective access to justice for some of the most vulnerable in our society, supporting a more stable and sustainable legal aid sector – one that is fit for the future and attracts and retains the brightest and the best practitioners.

Later this week a separate consultation on uplifting fees for criminal legal aid for solicitors by up to £92 million will conclude. It’s part of the Government’s wider work to invest in the legal aid system and deliver swifter justice for victims alongside Sir Brian Leveson’s independent review of criminal courts.

Notes to editors:

On Civil Legal Aid Consultation

• The Government ran a consultation on increasing legal aid fees for those working in the housing (housing and debt) and immigration (immigration and asylum) sectors, proposing to increase fees to a rate in the region of £65/£69 per hour (non-London/London), or provide a 10% uplift, whichever is higher. Fixed fees will be uplifted by the same percentage as the increase in the underlying hourly rate for that work. This will be implemented as soon as operationally possible with costs scaling up to £20m at steady state. This will increase overall spend by 24% for housing and 30% for immigration.
• The changes would mean for example that the fixed fee for Housing work will increase by 42% from £157 to £223 and the fixed fee for asylum legal help will increase by 35% from £413 to £559.
• Evidence from the Review of Civil Legal Aid (RoCLA) Call for Evidence included responses from providers that aspects of the current Civil Legal Aid contractual requirements can be unnecessarily restrictive. The consultation sought to gather further evidence for improvements to arrangements for remote advice and face-to-face advice based on client needs.
• We plan to implement these fee uplifts as soon as operationally possible.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 1 July 2025.

The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice has confirmed that Cindy Butts is the preferred candidate for appointment to the role of Standing Advocate.

The Independent Public Advocate, established by the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, will be a new statutory office with a permanent Standing Advocate to support victims of major incidents.

The Standing Advocate will ensure victims of major incidents understand their rights and can access vital emotional and practical support from the outset. The IPA can also advise the government on the type of review that should take place following a major incident. This will help relay victims’ views directly into the heart of government when deciding whether answers need to be sought, lessons need to be learned, and authorities held to account.

Cindy Butts has been selected as the preferred candidate for the role of Standing Advocate following a rigorous recruitment process conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The role, which is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, is subject to a pre-appointment hearing by the Justice Select Committee. Pre-appointment scrutiny is an important part of the appointment process for some of the most significant public appointments made by Ministers. It is designed to provide an added level of scrutiny to the appointment process.

Pre-appointment hearings are held in public and allow a Select Committee to take evidence before a candidate is appointed. Ministers consider the Committee’s views before deciding whether to proceed with the appointment.

Cindy Butts biography

Cindy Butts is a highly accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience dedicated to enhancing access to justice and tackling inequality. She has held senior roles in complex and sensitive organisations within the criminal justice, policing, and government sectors.

Cindy chaired the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC), appointed by the ECB, publishing the landmark “Holding up A Mirror to Cricket” report in June 2023.

She has a comprehensive track record of supporting victims and working with vulnerable people, focussing on putting their needs first.

Having dedicated her career to public service, Ms Butts brings decades of experience handling high-profile and sensitive issues. This includes as Commissioner at the Independent Police Complaints Commission when they investigated the police response to the Hillsborough disaster. Ms Butts also oversaw the significant transformation of the Metropolitan Police Service in the aftermath of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry, an inquiry prompted by the tragic murder of Stephen Lawrence and a true turning point for justice and equality for victims of crime.

Currently, she carries out consultancy work in the UK and internationally. Cindy also serves as a Lay Member of the House of Lords Conduct Committee (August 2019-current), where she reviews conduct rules and adjudicates appeals. She is also a Senior Independent Panel Member for public appointment assessment panels in various government departments (April 2004 – Current), providing independent oversight on Non-Executive Director recruitment.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 1 July 2025.

Victims of major incidents will be better supported following Cindy Butts’ selection as preferred candidate for the Independent Public Advocate (IPA).

Ms Butts has a comprehensive track record of supporting victims and working with vulnerable people – specialising in putting their needs first.

Having dedicated her career to public service, Ms Butts brings decades of experience handling high-profile and sensitive issues.

This includes as Commissioner at the Independent Police Complaints Commission whilst they investigated the police response to the Hillsborough disaster. Remarkably, she also oversaw the significant transformation of the Metropolitan Police Service in the aftermath of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry – this was prompted by the tragic murder of Stephen Lawrence and a true turning point for justice and equality for victims of crime.

In her role as IPA, Ms Butts will ensure victims of major incidents understand their rights and can access vital emotional and practical support from the get-go.

Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood, said:

The Independent Public Advocate will transform our response to major disasters, ensuring victims’ voices are heard above all else.

Cindy’s experience overseeing system reform following some of the most prolific cases of injustice in modern memory more than qualifies her for this role. I have every faith that she will provide victims the support they deserve.

The IPA will also be able to advise the Government on the type of review that should take place following a major incident. This will help relay victims’ views directly into the heart of Government when deciding whether answers need to be sought, lessons need to be learned, and authorities held to account.

Cindy Butts said:

I am deeply honoured to be named the Government’s preferred candidate for the Independent Public Advocate role.

Throughout my career, I have been steadfastly committed to championing fairness and ensuring that the voices of those who have experienced profound loss or injustice are heard, respected, and placed at the heart of our efforts for truth and accountability.

I look forward to working diligently to uphold the vital principles of care and support, ensuring that individuals and families receive the dedicated support and advocacy they deserve during their most challenging times. This role is a profound responsibility, and I am ready to begin the work of making a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Nabil Choucair, Grenfell Tower Trust, said:

As someone who lost loved ones in the Grenfell Tower fire, I welcome the appointment of the new Independent Public Advocate.

For families like mine, the pain of loss has been compounded by years of being dismissed, ignored, and silenced. We know all too well what it means to have our truths buried and our calls for justice delayed. Cindy’s appointment offers a glimmer of hope—but hope alone is not enough.

We are watching closely to see whether this government will match words with action, and give her the independence, resources, and authority needed to make a real difference. Anything less would be another betrayal.

Yvette Williams MBE, Justice 4 Grenfell Campaign, said:

It is powerful and necessary to see someone with a proven track record and deep commitment to justice taking on this vital role. But this appointment must be more than symbolic.

With Cindy’s experience and integrity, she has the potential to amplify the voices of those who have suffered, hold failing systems to account, and confront institutional indifference head-on.

To achieve this, she must be allowed to act with genuine independence—free from interference or political pressure—so she can earn and retain the trust of victims, survivors, bereaved families, and communities during the most painful moments of their lives.

Further information

• The IPA was established by the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024
• The candidate will be appointed for a five-year term.
• The role is subject to pre-appointment hearing by the Justice Select Committee. Ministers consider the Committee’s views before deciding whether to proceed with the appointment.
• Alongside the IPA, the Government can appoint additional advocates with relevant experience to each individual incident to support the IPA’s efforts.
• In this role, the IPA will also have the power to produce reports on a major incident for which they have been appointed without a direct request from the Lord Chancellor, providing an independent and invaluable assessment of lessons learned and recommendations to the Government and other public authorities.
• The IPA will support victims throughout the aftermath of the incident, this may include helping victims to navigate the investigations which may follow such as statutory inquiries under the Inquiries Act 2005 and inquests under the Coroner Justice Act 2009.
• The IPA will not act as a legal representative to victims.
• The definition of a major incident for the IPA is an event that occurs in England or Wales and is declared in writing by the Secretary of State to have caused the death of or serious harm to a significant number of individuals. This would cover major incidents similar to the Grenfell Tower fire, the Hillsborough disaster, and the Manchester Arena bombing.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 19 June 2025.

Violence is rife in overcrowded, unsafe prisons, with offenders nearly twenty per cent more likely to be involved in assaults in too full jails, new research published today reveals.

• Direct link drawn between overcrowded conditions and increased violence for first time
• Landmark sentencing reforms mean offenders who behave badly can be held in prison for longer, part of the Government’s Plan for Change
• New £40 million investment this year to tackle violence, contraband and drones

The rate of prisoner-on-prisoner assaults in men’s prisons increased by 11 per cent in 2024 compared to the previous year as they operated at over 99% capacity. The rate of assaults on hard-working prison staff rose by 13 per cent during the same period.

This is the first time a direct link has been drawn between increased violence behind bars and the capacity crisis inherited by the Government that put the public at risk.

It reinforces the need for the 14,000 more prison places and landmark sentencing reforms set out by Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood last month which will ensure prisons never run out of space again. The changes will help to cut reoffending and keep our streets safe, part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

Under these reforms, release from prison will be earned. Offenders who behave badly will be held in prison for longer – helping to reduce violence and drug use. It will mean staff can focus more time on rehabilitating prisoners to reduce the chance of them reoffending on release.

The Government has also announced today a £40 million investment in new security measures this year to clamp down on the contraband that fuels violence behind bars. This includes £10 million on anti-drone measures such as exterior netting and reinforced windows.

Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, James Timpson, said:

These stark findings confirm what we’ve already seen – dangerously full prisons lead to more crime and more violence. This not only risks the safety of our hardworking staff but means our prisons are failing one of their most important functions – cutting crime.

We must end this chaos. That is why as part of our Plan for Change we are reforming sentencing and building 14,000 extra prison places by 2031. Our £40 million new investment will also help combat the flow of contraband which creates unsafe environments in our jails.

The research found that over a one-year period, crowded environments increase the likelihood of an offender being involved in a violent incident by 19 per cent.

The £40 million will fund a range of security enhancements this financial year including window replacements, CCTV and control room upgrades, vehicle gates, biometrics and floodlighting. These improved measures will boost safety, combat the influx of drone activity and clamp down on suspected wrongdoing behind bars.

It comes as the National Crime Agency – in conjunction with HM Prisons and Probation Service, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Regional Organised Crime Units – has launched a new initiative stepping up efforts to thwart criminals attempting to smuggle contraband into jails via drones.

Two senior police leads will also be embedded into the Corruption and Crime Unit within the Prison and Probation Service to enhance cooperation in tackling key areas like corruption and organised crime in prisons.

The investment builds on action the Government has already taken to protect staff from violence, including the rollout of protective body armour for prison officers working within high-security settings and a trial of tasers beginning later this summer.

The Government has set aside £7 billion to fund 14,000 extra places by 2031 to deliver the prison capacity needed to keep the public safe.