What's new

Latest information added to the website.

Coroners and Justice Act 2009 - key provisions commencing on 6 April 2010

19 March 2010
A circular on the key provisions of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, which come into force on 6 April 2010.

Youth justice statistics

19 March 2010
Statistical notice on plans to publish annual youth justice statistics.

Judicial salaries and fees 2010/2011

19 March 2010
Tables showing judicial salaries and fees following the government's decision about the appropriate judicial pay settlement for 2010/11.

18 March 2010
The latest National Statistics on the reoffending of juveniles released from custody or commencing out-of-court or non-custodial court disposals in England and Wales in the first quarter of a particular year.

Cartel Client Review

18 March 2010
Statement about the suspension of authorisation of Cartel Client Review.

Reoffending of adults (NS)

18 March 2010
The latest National Statistics on the reoffending of adults released from custody or starting a community sentence in England and Wales in the first quarter of a particular year.

Reducing delays in care and supervision proceedings

17 March 2010
Response to Lord Laming's recommendation on the establishment of a system-wide target for reducing delays in care and supervision proceedings.

Arrest warrants: universal jurisdiction

17 March 2010
Proposals for changing the law on arrest warrants for universal jurisdiction crimes.

Justice reinvestment: response to select committee

16 March 2010
Response to a Justice Committee report on justice reinvestment, which examines whether resources spent on criminal justice are being used effectively.

Equality impact assessments 2009

16 March 2010
Details of equality impact assessments for the Ministry of Justice in 2009.

Court fees in child care cases review

15 March 2010
A report that reviews the fees in child care proceedings and recommends their abolition.

Justice Minister attends combat stress appeal

11 March 2010
Maria Eagle today attended a reception for the Combat Stress Appeal at St James's Palace.

Prison transfers before inspections

11 March 2010
A review of prison transfers prior to inspections by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCIP).

Sexual offenders risk assessment tool pilot

11 March 2010
Research on findings from the Stable and Acute risk assessment pilot used with sexual offenders in England and Wales.

Coroners' reports to prevent future deaths

10 March 2010
Summary of reports by coroners to prevent future deaths and responses from organisations.

Civil Procedure Rule Committee open meeting

08 March 2010
Are you interested in seeing the rule making process in action? Then visit the open meeting of the Civil Procedure Rule Committee taking place in Central London on 14 May 2010 from 10.30am to 1.30pm.

Reducing delay in care proceedings: regional events

05 March 2010
A new inter-agency approach to reducing unnecessary delay in care and supervision proceedings is being discussed at regional conferences in March.

Time intervals for criminal proceedings in magistrates' courts (NS)

04 March 2010
National Statistics on time intervals for criminal proceedings in magistrates' courts.

Knife crime sentencing quarterly brief

04 March 2010
Quarterly statistics on trends in cautioning and sentencing, probation supervision and prison population for possession of a knife or offensive weapon in England and Wales.

25 year starting point for knife killers

03 March 2010
Those who go onto the street armed with a knife and commit murder now face significantly longer jail terms.

Legal aid: funding reforms

03 March 2010
Response to a consultation on expert fees in legal aid cases.

Magee legal aid review

03 March 2010
Sir Ian Magee's review into the delivery of legal aid.

Alternative dispute resolution: annual pledge report 2008-09

02 March 2010
A report monitoring the effectiveness of the government's commitment to using alternative dispute resolution across government departments and agencies.

Government response to the Bernard Lodge Inquiry report

02 March 2010
The government's response to the inquiry into the death of Bernard Lodge at HMP Manchester.

Legal services reform: baseline survey

01 March 2010
A survey of consumers' experiences of using legal services for personal matters in England and Wales before the full implementation of the Legal Services Act 2007.

Sentencing statistics brief (quarterly)

26 February 2010
Quarterly statistical release on high-level trends in court sentencing.

Family Procedure Rule Committee news: May to December 2009

26 February 2010
The Family Procedure Rule Committee has published details of its work between May and December 2009.

Response to the 30-year rule review

25 February 2010
The government has published its response to the 30-year rule review.

Pleural plaques former claimants payments scheme

25 February 2010
The government has decided to make payments to those who had begun, but not resolved legal claims for compensation for pleural plaques before a Law Lords ruling in October 2007.

Guide on law applicable to contractual obligations (Rome I)

23 February 2010
A guide to the main provisions in the European Community Regulation on the law applicable to contractual obligations (Rome I), which came into force on 17 December 2009

Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace

23 February 2010
A consultation on proposals to reorganise and rename the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace for England and Wales.

Local adult reoffending

18 February 2010
Latest statistics on the reoffending of adults on the probation caseload.

Crime and Security Bill

17 February 2010
This Bill aims to protect our communities by making our streets safer and giving more help to victims of crime.

Public Legal Education: Improving lives, empowering communities

17 February 2010
Lord Bach gave a speech on how better information and education about the justice system can empower citizens to participate in a healthy democratic society.

Are juries fair?

17 February 2010
A research report examining whether all-white juries discriminate against black and minority ethnic defendants.

Statement on Beam Park West site

12 February 2010
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson made a statement today on the decision to not proceed with plans for a prison at Beam Park West.

HMP Wymott: tracing owners of surplus land

11 February 2010
Land at Wymott Prison in Preston may become surplus to requirements, and so we are trying to trace the former owners or their successors in title.

Safety in custody statistics

11 February 2010
Annual statistical bulletin on deaths, self-harm and violence in prison custody.

Company winding up and bankruptcy petition statistics (NS)

11 February 2010
Quarterly National Statistics on insolvency proceedings issued in the county courts and High Court for both individuals (bankruptcy petitions) and businesses (company winding up petitions) in England and Wales.

Mortgage and landlord possession statistics (NS)

11 February 2010
Quarterly National Statistics on possession actions issued in county courts by mortgage lenders and social and private landlords in England and Wales.

Lord Chancellor warrant regulations

10 February 2010
Response to a consultation on proposed regulations concerning the Legal Services Board's ability to apply for warrants to allow entry to the premises of approved regulators.

Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007: publicity orders

09 February 2010
A circular on the arrangements for implementing section 10 ('publicity orders') of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, which come into effect on 15 February 2010.

Reducing reoffending third sector action plan: annual progress review

04 February 2010
Report outlining progress on work with voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises to reduce reoffending.

Second summary of coroners reports to prevent future deaths

04 February 2010
The second summary of coroners reports to prevent future deaths (Rule 43) and responses will be issued on 10 March 2010.

Criminal justice system performance information

04 February 2010
Quarterly statistical bulletin on the performance of the criminal justice system in line with Public Service Agreement indicators for local criminal justice boards in England and Wales.

Deaths in custody: new website

03 February 2010
The Independent Advisory Panel, part of the Ministerial Council on Deaths in Custody, has launched a new website.

Criminal Procedure Rules 2010 published

02 February 2010
The Criminal Procedure Rule Committee has made the first consolidating edition of the Criminal Procedure Rules.

Reappointments to Judicial Appointments Commission

01 February 2010
Jack Straw today announced the reappointment of five Commissioners to the Judicial Appointments Commission.

Correctional Services Accreditation Panel annual report 2008/09

01 February 2010
A summary of the work completed by the panel, whose main work is to accredit programmes for offenders which are designed to reduce reoffending.

Statistics of mentally disordered offenders (NS)

29 January 2010
The latest National Statistics on mentally disordered offenders.

Licence recalls and returns to custody

29 January 2010
Quarterly statistical release on the numbers of offenders recalled back to prison and later returned or not returned to custody.

Probation statistics brief (quarterly)

29 January 2010
Quarterly statistical release on the use of community sentences.

Criminal statistics annual report (NS)

28 January 2010
The latest National Statistics release on annual criminal statistics in England and Wales.

Women and the criminal justice system

28 January 2010
A summary report bringing together statistics produced by a range of agencies relating to the experience of women within the criminal justice system.

Sentencing statistics (annual) (NS)

28 January 2010
The latest annual National Statistics on long-term trends in sentencing in England and Wales.

Membership of the working group on libel announced

27 January 2010
Justice Secretary Jack Straw has made a written ministerial statement on the working group on libel.

Major milestone for new prison plan

26 January 2010
Plans for a new prison on the site of the former Runwell Hospital have been submitted to Chelmsford Borough Council by the Ministry of Justice today.

Early neutral evaluation pilot in the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal

25 January 2010
Research conducted to evaluate the early neutral evaluation pilot in the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal.

Directors general business costs and hospitality

25 January 2010
Business costs and hospitality for the most senior civil servants (directors general and above) in the Ministry of Justice.

Monetary claims in county courts

22 January 2010
An analysis of civil monetary claims in county courts following the introduction of Civil Procedure Rules.

Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 - penalty notice for disorder scheme

22 January 2010
This circular provides new guidance for police on the design of penalty notice disorder (PND) forms and the disclosure of information on certain PNDs to third parties.

Proposed merger of Central Norfolk and West Norfolk Local Justice Areas

21 January 2010
A consultation on proposals to merge the Local Justice Areas in Central Norfolk and West Norfolk.

Proposed merger of Cambridge and East Cambridgeshire Local Justice Areas

21 January 2010
A consultation on a proposal to merge Cambridge and East Cambridgeshire Local Justice Areas.

Disclosure of information by Office for Legal Complaints and Legal Services Board

20 January 2010
A consultation on the sharing of information between the Office for Legal Complaints and Legal Services Board and other bodies.

Claims management regulation fees determination

20 January 2010
Response to a consultation on proposals for claims management regulation fee levels for 2010-11.

Controlling costs in defamation proceedings

19 January 2010
A consultation on reducing costs of defamation cases funded under Conditional Fee Agreements.

Appointment of members: Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council

19 January 2010
Lord Chancellor Jack Straw has made five new appointments to the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council, with the agreement of Scottish and Welsh ministers.

Role of prison officer: response to Justice Select Committee report

14 January 2010
The government's response to the Justice Select Committee report on the role of the prison officer.

Social enterprises working with prisons and probation services

11 January 2010
Research on the work of social enterprises with prisons and probation services in England.

Board member hospitality (January to March 2008)

08 January 2010
A register of hospitality received by Ministry of Justice board members between January and March 2008.

Legal services reform

01 January 2010
Legal services reform is about putting the customer first in the way legal services are regulated and delivered, providing a framework that promotes competition, and innovation.

Mortgages: power of sale and residential property

29 December 2009
A consultation on a proposal to require mortgage lenders to obtain a court order or the consent of the borrower before repossessing and selling residential owner-occupied homes.

Witness anonymity provisions of the Coroners and Justice Act

23 December 2009
A circular on provisions relating to witness anonymity in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, which come into effect on 1 January 2010.

Proposal for three Local Justice Areas instead of nine in Lincolnshire

22 December 2009
Response to a proposal to merge the current nine Local Justice Areas and Benches in Lincolnshire to form three.

NOMS performance ratings

21 December 2009
Performance ratings of prisons and probation areas and trusts.

Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Bill

18 December 2009
This Bill implements Law Commission and Scottish Law Commission recommendations about the rights of a third party to claim directly against an insurer.

Office of the Public Guardian: amendments to secondary legislation

17 December 2009
A consultation on the next step in the review of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Relationship between rights and responsibilities

16 December 2009
A study examining the idea of constitutional responsibilities within the context of the current debate on a new British Bill of Rights and Responsibilities.

Civil Law Reform Bill

15 December 2009
Consultation seeking views on the draft Civil Law Reform Bill.

Draft Civil Law Reform Bill

15 December 2009
The Draft Civil Law Reform Bill sets out proposed changes to civil law.

Court statistics (quarterly)

15 December 2009
Quarterly statistics on criminal and civil courts in England and Wales for whose administration the Ministry of Justice is responsible.

Saturday and Bank Holiday charge court locations in Lancashire

14 December 2009
A consultation reviewing the locations of Saturday and Bank Holiday charge courts in Lancashire.

Simplification plan 2009

14 December 2009
Our simplification plan sets out progress made and future plans for cutting the administrative burdens on the private and third sectors and the bureaucracy faced by our front-line staff.

Young black people and the criminal justice system: second annual report

10 December 2009
Second annual report to the Home Affairs Select Committee on progress made in taking forward the recommendations of its inquiry.

Is the 2007 court fee remission system working?

10 December 2009
Research on the 2007 court fee remission system and examination of court users’ views and experiences.

New ombudsman scheme for legal complaints

09 December 2009
The Office for Legal Complaints has announced further moves to set up a new ombudsman scheme that will investigate and resolve complaints by consumers of legal services.

Publication of report by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture

08 December 2009
A delegation of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture visited the United Kingdom between 18 November and 1 December 2008.

Autumn performance report 2009

08 December 2009
An assessment of our performance against departmental strategic objectives, public service agreements and value for money targets.

Government response to the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust 'Database state' report

08 December 2009
The report commented on a number of government databases and programmes.

Compendium of research and analysis on the Offender Assessment System

07 December 2009
This compendium presents research and analysis conducted over a three-year period from 2006 to 2009.

Delivering offender management services

03 December 2009
A document setting out the high-level strategic priorities that the Ministry of Justice requires the NOMS Agency to deliver in 2010-11.

Review of fees for the Lands Tribunal

02 December 2009
A consultation on increases to fees for the Lands Tribunal (the Lands Chamber of the Upper Tribunal).

Young people’s guide to rights and responsibilities

01 December 2009
The guide introduces young people to the debate about rights and responsibilities.

Judicial salaries and fees

01 December 2009
Tables showing judicial salaries and fees, following the government's decision about the level of pay for legally qualified tribunals judiciary.

Youth Rehabilitation Order and youth justice provisions

27 November 2009
This circular contains information on the Youth Rehabilitation Order as well as other youth justice related changes.

Burials

26 November 2009
Guidance for burial ground managers, custodians of war memorials, archaeologists and others.

Senior Salaries Review Body: written evidence 2009

24 November 2009
Letter giving the Senior Salaries Review Body our view on the appropriate pay settlement for judges for 2010/11.

Government response to Joint Committee report on Draft Bribery Bill

23 November 2009
The government's response to the conclusions and recommendations of the Joint Committee Report on the Draft Bribery Bill.

Warning on scam telephone calls

17 November 2009
We have been made aware of a scam involving consumers being telephoned by people who claim they are from the ministry.

People at risk of home repossession and eviction in Hull offered a lifeline

16 November 2009
A programme offering real help and legal advice to people at risk of home repossession and eviction has assisted 277 people in Hull in the past year, Legal Aid Minister Willy Bach said during a visit to the city.

Civil Procedure Rule Committee annual report 2009

16 November 2009
The annual report of the Civil Procedure Rule Committee, including references to rules made during the period, the committee's terms of reference and membership, and dates of meetings.

Welsh language scheme/Cynllun Iaith Gymraeg

09 November 2009
A consultation on our proposed Welsh language scheme.

Family Procedure Rule Committee open meeting

09 November 2009
The Family Procedure Rule Committee is holding an open meeting on 1 February 2010 in central London from 10am to 1.30pm.

Ministry of Justice to halve landfill waste

05 November 2009
A commitment to halve the amount of landfill waste from building projects was made by the Ministry of Justice today.

Redefining justice: addressing the individual needs of victims and witnesses

05 November 2009
An independent study by Victims’ Champion Sara Payne of how frontline services meet the needs of victims and witnesses.

Jack Straw: Office of the Public Guardian and the Court of Protection

04 November 2009
The Justice Secretary Jack Straw has responded to recent media coverage regarding the Office of the Public Guardian and the Court of Protection.

Government response to Equality and Human Rights Commission human rights inquiry

04 November 2009
The government's response to the recommendations of the Equality and Human Rights Commission human rights inquiry.

Reducing reoffending: supporting families, creating better futures

03 November 2009
A framework for improving the local delivery of support for families of offenders.

Electoral registration data standards

02 November 2009
Guidance for electoral registration officers on standards for the formatting of names, dates of birth and addresses in electoral registers.

Forced marriage

02 November 2009
Guidance for local authorities on applying for forced marriage protection orders and information for other agencies.

Rates and scales in respect of defendants' costs orders

30 October 2009
Rates and scales for defendants' costs orders from central funds in criminal cases.

Government response to the Joint Committee on Human Rights report on 'public authority'

29 October 2009
The government response to the report that examined the meaning of 'public authority' under the Human Rights Act 1998.

Evidence-based practice? The National Probation Service’s work with alcohol misusing offenders

28 October 2009
A study by the Institute for Criminal Policy Research at King's College London, examining the National Probation Service's work with alcohol misusing offenders.

European Commission proposal on succession and wills

28 October 2009
A consultation on the EC’s proposal on succession and wills to establish common rules concerning cross-border disputes about inheritance.

Crown Court means testing draft regulations

28 October 2009
Response to a consultation on Crown court means testing draft regulations.

Inquests into the deaths of service personnel in operations and exercises overseas

27 October 2009
Justice Minister Bridget Prentice has made a written ministerial statement about the deaths of servicemen and women overseas.

Regulating damages based agreements

27 October 2009
Response to a consultation on proposals to regulate damages based agreements, in which legal fees are paid out of damages awarded.

Council tax enforcement in magistrates’ courts

22 October 2009
Bridget Prentice has made a statement concerning council tax enforcement in magistrates’ courts.

Seven firms to compete for new prisons contracts

22 October 2009
Seven suppliers have been invited to compete for inclusion on a framework which will allow firms to bid for contracts to design, build and run new prisons by the Ministry of Justice.

Temporary transfer of prisoners prior to inspections

20 October 2009
Jack Straw has made a written ministerial statement concerning temporary transfer of prisoners prior to inspections.

Her Majesty's Courts Service court user survey

15 October 2009
Survey measuring the satisfaction of court users, both public and professional, across England and Wales.

Review of executive royal prerogative powers

15 October 2009
A review of the ancient royal prerogative powers available to UK government ministers.

Knowing or reckless misuse of personal data - introducing custodial sentences

15 October 2009
A consultation on exercising the power to provide for custodial sanctions for those found guilty of knowingly or recklessly obtaining, disclosing, selling or procuring the disclosure of personal data without the consent of the data controller.

Internet Watch Foundation Awareness Day 2009

14 October 2009
The government is backing the Internet Watch Foundation's Awareness Day, to promote awareness of its hotline to report child abuse images and criminal material online.

Warning on scam telephone calls

14 October 2009
The Ministry of Justice has been made aware of a scam involving consumers being telephoned by people who claim they are from the Ministry.

Proposal to close Nelson County Court

13 October 2009
Response to the consultation paper proposing the closure of Nelson County Court.

Planning for the future of the magistrates’ courts service in London

13 October 2009
A paper that provides a basis for engaging with local stakeholders and other interested parties on what the future magistrates' courts service in London should look like.

Statistics publication update

09 October 2009
An update on the population in custody bulletin, the delay of statistics publications due in November, and plans to improve the timeliness and reliability of the reports.

Low value personal injury claims in road traffic accidents

06 October 2009
Policy report outlining a new claims process for road traffic accident personal injury claims valued between £1,000 and £10,000.

Mentally disordered offenders

30 September 2009
Guidance and forms for those working with mentally disordered offenders (restricted patients).

Sentencing guidelines and Parliament: government response to the Justice Select Committee report

29 September 2009
The response to the report sets out the government's sentencing policy and welcomes the committee's intention to scrutinise sentencing guidelines.

International

28 September 2009
We promote the interests of the UK government in the EU, the Council of Europe and other international forums, in matters of criminal, civil and family justice, data protection, human rights and democratic engagement.

Judicial and court statistics (annual)

24 September 2009
Statistics on criminal and civil courts, the judiciary and some associated offices in England and Wales for whose administration the Ministry of Justice is responsible.

Debt management schemes

18 September 2009
A consultation on a range of options for improving the way that debtors deal with their debts.

Administration and enforcement restriction orders

18 September 2009
Response to a consultation on administration orders, a long-term debt management scheme administered by the courts, and enforcement restriction orders.

Local authority charges for property search services

16 September 2009
The government's response to a consultation on proposals for the fee for a personal search of the local land charges register.

Defamation and the internet: the multiple publication rule

16 September 2009
This consultation seeks views on the 'multiple publication rule' under which each publication of defamatory material can form the basis of a new defamation claim.

Probation qualifications framework review

15 September 2009
The government's response to a consultation on a proposed new framework for the training and qualification of probation officers and probation service officers.

Supreme Court summer recess progress

09 September 2009
Lord Bach has made a statement about further progress towards the establishment of the UK Supreme Court.

Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council recruiting new members

08 September 2009
The Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council (AJTC) has launched a campaign to recruit up to five new members.

Resource Accounts 2008-09

07 September 2009
The annual financial accounts and related information for the Ministry of Justice.

Equality schemes annual review 2009

28 August 2009
The annual review of the Ministry of Justice's race, disability and gender equality schemes for 2008-2009.

Prison population projections (NS)

28 August 2009
The latest National Statistics on prison population projections.

Corporate Audit Committee Chair's Annual Report

10 August 2009
The annual report of the Corporate Audit Committee, which provides support and advice to the Principal Accounting Officer and the Corporate Management Board on their responsibilities for governance, risk management and internal control.

Criminal Procedure Rules: guide to changes 2006-09

06 August 2009
A guide to changes to the Criminal Procedure Rules from March 2006 to April 2009.

Proposed closure of Social Security and Child Support Agency hearing centre, Wingfield House, Portsmouth

06 August 2009

New chairman of Law Commission appointed by Lord Chancellor

03 August 2009
The new Chairman of the Law Commission for England and Wales was announced today by the Lord Chancellor.

Reducing reoffending in London

31 July 2009

Story of the prison population 1995 - 2009

31 July 2009
A report providing a summary of what happened to the prison population between 1995 and 2009 and the major factors contributing to the changes.

Fees in the United Kingdom Supreme Court

28 July 2009

Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information publishes annual report

27 July 2009
The Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information (APPSI) has published its annual report for 2008-09.

Civil Procedure Rule Committee recruitment

27 July 2009
Candidates are invited to apply for a lay member vacancy on the Civil Procedure Rule Committee.

Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 - new guidance on cannabis possession

23 July 2009
This circular provides new guidance for police on the use of penalty notices for disorder (PNDs) for cannabis possession offences.

Protocol on consultation for the appointment of Lord-Lieutenants

22 July 2009
A protocol for the appointment process for Lord-Lieutenants, including a list of those people who would normally be consulted.

Claims management regulation - Impact of regulation report

20 July 2009
An assessment of the impact of claims management regulation following its second full year of operation.

Government response to Civil Justice Council report on collective actions

20 July 2009
The government's response to the Civil Justice's final recommedations to improve access to justice for consumers and small businesses in collective claims.

Initial evaluation of reconviction rates in community justice initiatives

20 July 2009
A research report assessing the initial impact of Community Justice Initiatives in North Liverpool and Salford on reoffending rates.

Future of the Parole Board

20 July 2009

Assessment of the implementation of postal requisitioning in six pilot areas

17 July 2009
A report about postal requisitioning which offers an alternative to traditional charging/summons methods, and introduces a new way for the police to get a person to court, notifying them of a court date by post.

Rapid Evidence Assessment of the evidence on the effectiveness of interventions with persistent/prolific offenders in reducing re-offending

16 July 2009
A paper reporting on the results from a Rapid Evidence Assessment