Judicial review: Plan to reform scrutiny by courts revealed – BBC News

‘The government is pressing ahead with plans to limit how the public can legally challenge official decisions, despite fears it will damage justice.’

Full Story

BBC News, 21st July 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Killer Colin Pitchfork to be released from prison after challenge fails – The Guardian

‘The child killer and rapist Colin Pitchfork is to be freed from prison after the Parole Board rejected calls from the government to reconsider the controversial decision.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 14th July 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Legal lifeline for people in need – Ministry of Justice

‘People who have fallen on hard times during the pandemic will be helped by extra funding for free legal advice, the government has announced.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 1st July 2021

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Colin Pitchfork: Government to ask for review of child killer’s release – BBC News

‘The government will ask the Parole Board to look again at its decision to release a double child killer who was the first murderer to be convicted using DNA evidence.’

Full Story

BBC News, 26th June 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Nationalising probation service not enough to fix flaws, warns watchdog – The Guardian

‘Renationalising the management of offenders in the community will not be enough to put right the flaws of disastrous privatisation reforms introduced by the former Conservative minister Chris Grayling, the probation watchdog has warned.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 28th June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Probation services return to public control in England and Wales – BBC News

Posted June 28th, 2021 in contracting out, Ministry of Justice, news, probation by tracey

‘Probation services in England and Wales will return to public control, seven years after Chris Grayling’s changes that were later labelled as “flawed”.’

Full Story

BBC News, 28th July 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Crown court backlog hits record high of 60,000 cases as victims wait years for justice – The Independent

‘The backlog of crown court cases in England and Wales has hit a record number of almost 60,000 as waiting times rocket for victims and defendants.’

Full Story

The Independent, 24th June 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Outdoor civil wedding and partnership registrations to be legalised – Ministry of Justice

Posted June 21st, 2021 in civil partnerships, marriage, Ministry of Justice, news by tracey

‘Outdoor civil wedding and partnership ceremonies in England and Wales are set to be legalised for the first time – offering greater choice to couples in a boost to the wedding sector.’

Full Story

Ministry of Justice, 20th June 2021

Source: www.gov.uk

Justice Secretary says it would be wrong for him to push for more rape prosecutions – The Independent

‘Labour accuses Robert Buckland of U-turn after he says he will not use his political position to urge more prosecutions and convictions.’

Full Story

The Independent, 20th June 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

News focus: Exhibiting the law’s ‘crown jewels’ – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted June 21st, 2021 in internet, judgments, lord chancellor, Ministry of Justice, news by tracey

‘As the National Archives takes on BAILII’s role of creating an online hub for court judgments, doubts persist about how to showcase common law rulings in a machine-friendly and comprehensive way.’

Full Story

Law Society's Gazette, 21st June 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

One third of convicted sex offenders across England and Wales avoid prison – The Guardian

‘Ministers are facing demands to explain why thousands of convicted sexual offenders across England and Wales have avoided prison. An Observer investigation found that adults convicted of sexually assaulting children under 13, or of engaging in sexual activity with underage teenagers, are among those who have not been jailed.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 19th June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Binding arbitration to settle Covid commercial rent disputes – Litigation Futures

‘The government is to introduce mandatory, binding arbitration to settle disputes between landlords and businesses struggling to pay their rent because of the pandemic.’

Full Story

Litigation Futures, 17th June 2021

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Ministers remove children from private youth jail after American contractor fails to fix ‘serious’ flaws – The Independent

Posted June 18th, 2021 in children, detention, Ministry of Justice, news, prisons, young offenders by tracey

‘The UK government is removing all children from a troubled jail for youths run by an American company after some were locked in their rooms for more than 23 hours a day.’

Full Story

The Independent, 17th June 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland ‘sorry’ for failing rape victims – BBC News

‘Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has apologised to rape victims for low conviction rates in England and Wales and promised to “do a lot better”.’

Full Story

BBC News 18th June 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Boost for open justice as court judgments get new home – Ministry of Justice

Posted June 16th, 2021 in judgments, Ministry of Justice, news by sally

‘Important court and tribunal judgments will be available via The National Archives for the first time, increasing transparency and securing free access for all.’

Full Story

Ministry of Justice, 16th June 2021

Source: www.gov.uk

Lord Chancellor unveils court staff pay deal and review of his role – Legal Futures

‘The Treasury has agreed a three-year pay deal for court staff after negotiations with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), the Lord Chancellor has announced.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 9th June 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Judicial review applications fell 16% in 2020: report – Local Government Lawyer

‘The number of applications for judicial review fell 16% in 2020 to 2,800, data from National Statistics has revealed.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 8th June 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Lord Chancellor outlines his plans to recover the justice system from COVID-19 – Ministry of Justice

‘The Lord Chancellor spoke at the Law Society to thank the hidden heroes who kept justice moving during the COVID-19 pandemic and outlined his plans for recovering the system, as well as propelling it towards a better future.’

Full speech

Ministry of Justice, 4th June 2021

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Rape cases in England and Wales will be hit hard by backlog, says police chief – The Guardian

‘Rape and domestic violence cases in England and Wales will be among the worst hit from the growing backlog in the judicial system, and trials could soon start collapsing because of severe delays, the new crime commissioner for England’s second biggest force has warned.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 6th June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

£200 million investment in rehab services to cut crime – Ministry of Justice

‘Charities and companies which help rehabilitate offenders have been awarded around £200 million of Government funding to help cut crime in the new probation system.’

Ministry of Justice, 21st May 2021

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice