The Law Reform, Victims and Witnesses Bill aims to deliver a more effective, transparent and responsive justice system for victims, witnesses and the wider public.
It forms part of the government's draft legislative programme for the 2008-09 session which was published on 14 May 2008.
The main elements of the Bill are:
- Reform of some aspects of the criminal law on homicide. The detail of this depends on the outcome of our current review which is considering Law Commission recommendations for improvements to the partial defences of provocation and diminished responsibility, complicity in relation to murder, and infanticide
- Increase provisions in courts for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses, including witnesses in cases involving guns and other offensive weapons, by amending and extending special measures such as live video links and screens around witness boxes
- Prevent criminals from profiting from books and other publications about their crimes through the introduction of a civil recovery scheme
- Strengthening data protection laws through the audit powers of the Information Commissioner
- Subject to government's consideration of the conclusions of the Sentencing Commission Working Group chaired by Lord Justice Gage, establish a structured sentencing framework and a Sentencing Commission to enable better alignment of the demands and resources for correctional services.
Contact us:
Law Reform, Victims and Witnesses Bill Team
Criminal Justice Group
2nd Floor, Fry Building
2 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DF
email 
or telephone 020 7035 1299