JUSTICE has produced a Second Reading briefing on the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill 2017-19. There are four areas of concern for us in the drafting of the Bill and presumptions raised in it, borne out of one overarching difficulty. While we accept that legislating for exit is a monumental task, and this Bill is attempting to […]
Prisons and Courts Bill: JUSTICE briefing
April 6, 2017
JUSTICE has produced a briefing on the Prisons and Courts Bill for the Second Reading. It addresses our initial concerns over the written and online processes created by Part 2, and the changes proposed to the judiciary and the Judicial Appointments Commission in Parts 3 and 4: For Part 2, there are a number of principles […]
JUSTICE briefing on Policing and Crime Bill
June 18, 2016
JUSTICE submitted a briefing in June 2016 ahead of House of Lords Second Reading Briefing Part 4. This briefing addresses the new pre-charge bail process set out under Chapter 1 of Part 4 of the Bill. JUSTICE welcomes the introduction of a presumption of release without bail. Where bail with conditions can be granted as […]
Investigatory Powers Bill
March 14, 2016
Investigatory Powers Bill The Draft Investigatory Powers Bill was published on 4 November 2015 for consultation. A Joint Committee appointed to report on the Draft Bill published its report on 11 February 2016. The Investigatory Powers Bill was published on 4 March 2016 and will have its Second Reading on 15 March 2016. In 2011, […]
Immigration Bill
October 9, 2015
The Immigration Bill 2015-16 is now set to receive royal assent. JUSTICE worked with a coalition of NGOs, co-ordinated by the Immigration Law Practitioner’s Association, which helped to achieve or support a few significant victories including: A commitment by the Government to accept a (as yet to be determined) number of unaccompanied refugee children from […]
Directive on presumption of innocence
March 11, 2015
The EU Roadmap on procedural rights for suspects and accused people in criminal matters continues apace, with three Commission proposals for Directives being considered by the institutions: the right to legal aid; procedural safeguards for children; and strengthening certain aspects of the presumption of innocence and the right to be present at trial. The UK […]
Criminal Justice and Courts Bill
December 16, 2014
The Criminal Justice and Courts Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 5 February 2014. It had its Second Reading on 24 February 2014 and was considered in Committee during March. Report stage started in May, following which the Bill was carried over into the next session of Parliament and Report continued on […]
Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill
December 12, 2014
The Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 26 November 2014. JUSTICE is concerned that little justification has been provided for the treatment of this Bill as fast-track legislation. This Second Reading debate will take place only three working days after the Bill’s publication. Most of the proposals in the […]
Directive on the procedural safeguards for children
September 16, 2014
The EU Roadmap on procedural rights for suspects and accused people in criminal matters continues apace, with three Commission proposals for Directives being considered by the institutions: the right to legal aid; procedural safeguards for children; and strengthening certain aspects of the presumption of innocence and the right to be present at trial. The UK […]
Directive on the right to legal aid
The EU Roadmap on procedural rights for suspects and accused people in criminal matters continues apace, with three Commission proposals for Directives being considered by the institutions: the right to legal aid; procedural safeguards for children; and strengthening certain aspects of the presumption of innocence and the right to be present at trial. The UK […]