News
Youth crime punishments - you decide!
30 November 2009
More communities affected by youth crime and antisocial behaviour will, for the first time, have their say in how young offenders are punished and forced to make amends to their local neighbourhood, Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced today.
More than 4,000 prison places created since Carter Review
30 November 2009
More than 4,000 prison places have been created in nearly two years since Lord Carter of Coles’ review of prisons in December 2007.
Procurement of criminal legal aid in England and Wales
27 November 2009
The Ministry of Justice and Legal Services Commission have today responded to the National Audit Office’s report into procurement of criminal legal aid in England and Wales.
Probation staff honoured for exceptional work
26 November 2009
Front line probation staff have been honoured for their exceptional work at the first annual Probation Awards.
More forced marriage protection orders than expected issued in first year
25 November 2009
More people have been protected by Forced Marriage Protection Orders than originally expected in their first year of operation, show figures released today.
Bridget Prentice speaks at forced marriage conference
25 November 2009
Bridget Prentice has given a speech at the Forced Marriage and Honour Based Violence Conference in Leicester today.
New government policy on archives
24 November 2009
Justice Minister Michael Wills has made a statement on the government's vision for the future of publicly funded archive services.
Government launches consultation seeking views on future of Edited Register
24 November 2009
Should the Government abolish the edited version of the Electoral Register or should it be retained but with changes made to who can purchase it?
Constitutional change and the future of parliamentary democracy
24 November 2009
An abridged version of a lecture given by Jack Straw at Brunel University's Magna Carta Institute on Monday 23 November 2009.
Simpler, cheaper compensation procedure proposed in new Bill
23 November 2009
Making it easier and less expensive to claim compensation from insolvent defendants is the aim of a new Bill put before Parliament today.
Jack Straw visits Derby to see successful probation sentence for offenders
20 November 2009
Justice Secretary Jack Straw saw the positive results of an intensive community sentence pilot to cut reoffending and support safer communities in Derbyshire today.
New laws to aid global fight against bribery
20 November 2009
The UK will further cement its reputation as one of the least corrupt countries in the world with new laws that will enable courts to tackle bribery at home and abroad more effectively, said Justice Secretary, Jack Straw.
Openness and accountability in family courts: new legislation proposed
19 November 2009
Proposals to further open up family courts to the media have been announced as part of new legislation put before Parliament today.
Queen's Speech 2009
18 November 2009
The Queen's Speech has set out the government's forthcoming legislative programme.
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.
Competition for five prisons announced
16 November 2009
The Ministry of Justice has today announced competitions for the management of five prisons: Birmingham, Buckley Hall, Doncaster, Featherstone 2 and Wellingborough.
Magistrates’ Association annual general meeting
14 November 2009
Jack Straw has given a speech at the Magistrates' Association AGM on out of court disposals, court workloads, enforcing fines, and court closures.
New Act further strengthens justice for victims and witnesses
12 November 2009
Better protection for witnesses during criminal investigations, more consistency in sentencing and modernisation of the coroners system are part of a raft of new measures that became law today.
Repossession orders down, measures to help homeowners making an impact
12 November 2009
The number of mortgage possession claims dropped by seven per cent in the three months to October compared to the last quarter (26,213 down to 24,337), according to Ministry of Justice statistics published today.
Jack Straw: tougher sentences for those who kill with a knife
10 November 2009
Those who commit murder with a knife should face significantly longer in jail than they currently do, Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced today.
PM, Claire Ward and Sara Payne at launch of victims report
09 November 2009
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Justice Minister Claire Ward joined Victims' Champion Sara Payne at the launch of her victims report at a community project in Cheshire.
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.
Government to consult on £500,000 penalties for serious breaches of data protection principles
09 November 2009
The government has today launched a consultation seeking views on implementing a maximum penalty of half a million pounds for serious breaches of the data protection principles.
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.
£10m funding to divert vulnerable women from custody
05 November 2009
Justice Minister Maria Eagle has announced the allocation of £6.8m of funding for voluntary organisations to provide extra and enhanced community support for women at risk of offending.
New programme launched to cut youth crime
05 November 2009
A pioneering project dedicated to making London safer by helping young offenders turn their backs on crime was launched today by Justice Secretary Jack Straw and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson.
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.
Local authorities and voluntary organisations newly equipped in the front-line fight against forced marriage
02 November 2009
The issuing of protection orders for those at risk of forced marriage will be more responsive to the needs of victims under new powers which come into force today.
Family courts – information pilot announced
02 November 2009
Online publication of some judgments in family cases, like care proceedings and contact and residence cases, will be piloted for the first time at courts in Leeds and Cardiff.
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