July
Grants for new ideas to get people involved in democracy
30 July 2008
Fresh ideas for encouraging people to become involved in democracy will be rewarded with grants under a £150,000 government scheme aimed at charities, community groups and non-government organisations.
Anger no longer an excuse for murder
29 July 2008
New reforms to the law on homicide will make it much harder for those who kill out of anger to avoid a murder conviction by claiming that they were provoked, Justice Minister Maria Eagle said today.
Businesses can trade with confidence in Europe
28 July 2008
Bridget Prentice welcomes agreement on proposals to protect UK busineses trading in Europe.
Sir Bill Callaghan to chair Legal Services Commission
22 July 2008
Sir Bill Callaghan has been appointed the new Chair of the Legal Services Commission by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Jack Straw.
New claims process for road accident injury
21 July 2008
A new claims process which will apply to road traffic accident personal injury claims is to be established, the government said today.
Witness anonymity - emergency legislation receives Royal Assent today
21 July 2008
New laws have been passed to ensure that witnesses who fear for their safety are protected.
Straw unveils new controls on political funding and spending
17 July 2008
Political spending and donations to parties are to be more tightly regulated under new rules unveiled by Justice Secretary Jack Straw today.
Jack Straw appoints new Legal Services Board
17 July 2008
The first nine members of the Legal Services Board were appointed by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Jack Straw today.
London hosts tackling honour-based violence road show
16 July 2008
Combating forced marriage and honour-based violence were the subject of discussion at a road show in London today.
Increased powers for data protection
16 July 2008
Proposals to increase the powers, funding and duties of the Information Commissioner will be examined in a consultation launched today.
Government launches new approach to tackling reoffending in London
16 July 2008
An innovative pilot with a multi-agency approach to tackle the cycle of reoffending in London has been announced today by the Justice Secretary and Home Secretary.
Media to get free magistrates courts' publications
15 July 2008
Newspapers and other media can now access court registers containing the outcome of criminal cases and details of upcoming court cases free of charge, Secretary of State for Justice Jack Straw announced today.
Prison Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
15 July 2008
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has approved the introduction of a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal for prison officers.
New law backs 'have-a-go' heroes
15 July 2008
New laws coming into force today will give homeowners and 'have-a-go' heroes defending themselves greater confidence, Justice Secretary Jack Straw said today.
Straw publishes White Paper on Lords reform
14 July 2008
The government today set out proposals for the next stage of reforming the House of Lords.
Offenders to commit to reform under new behaviour compacts
10 July 2008
A new Compact outlining the level of behaviour expected from prisoners and offenders in the community is to be piloted, Minister for Prisons David Hanson MP announced to Parliament today.
Supporting people with pleural plaques
09 July 2008
The government launched a consultation today on the most appropriate way of supporting people diagnosed with pleural plaques.
Jack Straw rolls out mobile phone blockers in fight against drugs in prisons
07 July 2008
Cutting edge technology is to be rolled out to all prisons in the ongoing fight to prevent drug smuggling into prisons, Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced today.
Prisons Minister opens two new wings at HMP Bullingdon
07 July 2008
Prisons Minister David Hanson MP officially opens a new 120 place unit at HMP Bullingdon (near Bicester) today, marking a significant contribution to the 1,614 new prison places delivered this year so far.
Jack Straw welcomes a year of constitutional progress
03 July 2008
Justice Secretary Jack Straw today marked the one-year anniversary of the government's constitutional change programme and said the progress made was a major step forward in renewing Britain's democracy.
Witness anonymity - emergency legislation introduced
03 July 2008
Witnesses who fear for their safety will continue to be given every possible protection, Justice Secretary Jack Straw said today as he presented emergency legislation to Parliament.
Rehabilitation versus punishment - judge for yourself
01 July 2008
An innovative online programme in which members of the public can decide what they think is the most suitable sentence for virtual offenders was launched by Justice Minister David Hanson today as a new poll shows the public think reforming offenders to cut reoffending is equally as important as punishment.