News releases 2007

June

Research shows court fees no hindrance to justice
28 June 2007
People going to court are motivated by getting justice and a final decision, government research published today shows.


Tribunals bill to speed up dispute hearings
27 June 2007
The Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement (TCE) Bill, which brings most tribunals together in a single organisation, will speed up justice and make the process easier for the public to understand, Justice Minister Vera Baird QC MP said today.


Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill
26 June 2007
Tougher offences to tackle crime and strong, new measures to cut re-offending were announced today by David Hanson MP, Minister of Justice and Baroness Scotland, Home Office Minister for Crime Reduction. 


David Hertzell appointed law commissioner
26 June 2007
Lord Falconer, today announced the appointment of David Hertzell to be a Law Commissioner. Mr Hertzell has been appointed for a period of five years from 1 July 2007.


Offenders pay back the planet
26 June 2007
Offenders on community sentences will be made to pay back the planet as well as the community in a new drive to increase the number of unpaid work projects.


Legal aid reform is about helping as many as possible
22 June 2007
Lord Falconer today said legal aid reform would ensure as many people as possible were helped within the resources available by encouraging efficient working practices in the legal profession.


£1.25million for victims of sexual violence and abuse
22 June 2007
Over £1.25million has been awarded to groups working with victims of sexual violence and abuse, Justice Minister Gerry Sutcliffe announced today.


Greater choice for vulnerable witnesses
22 June 2007
Introducing greater choice on how young people give evidence in court is among proposals published today that place victims and witnesses at the heart of the Criminal Justice System.


Prison Officer of the Year Awards
21 June 2007
The 6th Annual Prison Officer of the Year Awards were held in Leeds yesterday to celebrate the outstanding work of Prison Service staff.


Ashton appoints the Public Guardian Board
21 June 2007
Justice Minister Baroness Ashton today announced the appointment of the seven inaugural members of the Public Guardian Board.


Consultation on freedom of information fees regulations ends
21 June 2007
Consultation on draft Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations closes today.


Confidence and confidentiality: openness in family courts - a new approach
20 June 2007
Plans to promote a culture of openness in family courts, while protecting the best interests of children, were today unveiled by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Lord Falconer.


Harman underlines importance of working together to tackle domestic violence
19 June 2007
Harriet Harman speaks at the TUC's 'Working Together: Trade Unions campaigning to end violence against women' conference and underlines the key to tackling domestic violence is working together.


New bail accommodation and support service
18 June 2007
A new bail accommodation and support service is to be introduced by the National Offender Management Service to enable the courts and prison governors to make greater use of bail and early release on a strict curfew.


New toolkit to reduce re-offending launched in Leicestershire and Rutland
14 June 2007
Ministers today launched a new toolkit from the year-long Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland demonstration project, at the National Alliances Conference.


Supreme Court
14 June 2007
Work on the new Supreme Court started this week after final contracts were signed with the developer, the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice announced today. The building is expected to open for business in October 2009.


Groundbreaking research finds juries don't discriminate
13 June 2007
Juries and the jury system in England and Wales are fair, unbiased and balanced, according to a groundbreaking study today.


A voice is given to vulnerable witnesses
12 June 2007
A scheme assisting vulnerable witnesses to access the criminal justice process will be rolled out nationally, following an announcement by Minister for Justice, Gerry Sutcliffe.


UK members appointed to Fundamental Rights Agency board
12 June 2007
Marie Staunton and Sarah Cooke OBE have been appointed as UK independent member and alternate member of the management board of the European Union Fundamental Rights Agency.


Probation Service celebrates 100 years
11 June 2007
Probation staff from all over England and Wales will be celebrating the Probation Service's centenary today (Monday 11 June) in Westminster Abbey.


Modernising the burial system
05 June 2007
Plans to allow the reuse of burial grounds have been given the go-ahead to provide space for burials in the coming years.


Community groups' pilot
04 June 2007
Harman launches pilot to enable community groups to have a say in offenders' work