JUSTICE has responded to the Government’s statutory review of closed material procedure (CMP) under the Justice and Security Act 2013 (the JSA). CMP allows the state in litigation to disclose material which is sensitive to national security in closed procedures to the judge and a Special Advocate appointed to represent the other party’s interests, without […]
Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill
May 14, 2021
From overcrowded prisons to endemic racial disproportionality, there are many pressing issues across the criminal justice system which need comprehensive, urgent redress. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill purports to empower “the police and courts to take more effective action against crime and lead [to] a fair justice system.” While some of the aspects […]
New Plan for Immigration
May 11, 2021
In May 2021, JUSTICE responded to the Home Office’s “New Plan for Immigration” consultation. The consultation proposed fundamental changes to the law and process of immigration, asylum and modern slavery matters, which will form the basis of a Sovereign Borders Bill later in the year. Whilst we noted that such widespread reform would require substantial […]
Government Consultation on Judicial Review Reform
May 4, 2021
In March, the Independent Review of Administrative Law (“IRAL”) report was published along with the Government’s response to the IRAL, which set out proposals for reform of judicial review and contained a further consultation. Following our response to the IRAL, JUSTICE has submitted a response to the Government’s consultation. Our response, which focuses on the importance of judicial review in protecting the rule […]
JUSTICE submits a briefing to the Commons on the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill for Ping Pong
April 20, 2021
This briefing addresses JUSTICE’s concerns with the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill. JUSTICE recognises the unique role and status of the UK’s armed forces, and the difficulties faced by service personnel. However, this Bill is deficient in two important respects, as it both fails to support current and former service personnel whilst also […]
Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill
This briefing addresses JUSTICE’s concerns with the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill. JUSTICE recognises the unique role and status of the UK’s armed forces, and the difficulties faced by service personnel. However, this Bill fails to support current and former service personnel whilst also depriving victims of serious crime to proper access to […]
Nealon and Hallam v UK
March 29, 2021
On 17 March 2021 we filed written submissions with the European Court of Human Rights, having been given permission to intervene in this long-running case concerning compensation for miscarriage of justice. We previously intervened in the UK Supreme Court, which by a majority, found against the appellants in 2019. The case concerns whether the amended […]
JUSTICE submits a briefing on the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill for Committee Stage
March 9, 2021
This briefing addresses JUSTICE’s concerns with the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill. JUSTICE recognises the unique role and status of the UK’s armed forces, and the difficulties faced by service personnel. However, this Bill is deficient in two important respects, as it both fails to support current and former service personnel whilst also […]
Independent Human Rights Act Review
March 3, 2021
In December 2020, the Government announced an independent review to examine the framework of the Human Rights Act 1998 (the “HRA”), how it is operating in practice and whether any change is required (the Independent Human Rights Act Review). The Review is focused on two themes: the relationship between the domestic courts and the European […]
R (Begum) v Secretary of State for the Home Department
February 26, 2021
On 26 February 2021, the UK Supreme Court gave judgment in R (Begum) v Secretary of State for the Home Department in a case which pits national security against natural justice. The case concerns Shamima Begum who, at the age of 15, left the UK for Syria. Ms Begum married an ISIL fighter and aligned […]