For the past two years the EU Institutions have been considering the adoption of the third measure on a Roadmap to strengthen procedural safeguards for suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings. The proposed directive on the right of access to a lawyer in criminal proceedings and on the right to communicate upon arrest (Measure […]
Crime and Courts Bill
January 30, 2013
The Crime and Courts Bill was introduced to the House of Lords immediately after the Queen’s Speech on 10th May 2012, and to the Commons on 19th December 2012. The Bill is wide ranging in scope and application. Part 1 of the Bill makes provision for a new body to fight organised crime, the National […]
Protecting Victims: EU competences and mechanisms for safeguards
December 19, 2012
This paper was presented at a symposium ‘Legal perspectives on the victim’ held to launch the Centre for Conflicts, Rights and Justice at Nottingham Trent University on 19th December 2012. The paper considers recent efforts in the EU to improve the position of victims in the criminal justice system through the adoption of a directive […]
Justice and Security Bill
December 18, 2012
The Justice and Security Bill contains a series of proposals which JUSTICE is concerned could undermine public confidence in the administration of civil justice and damage the credibility of our judiciary. This Bill would ensure closed material procedures (CMP) – where a party to proceedings and his lawyers (together with the public and the […]
Immigration and Human Rights
June 19, 2012
Following the Home Secretary’s Statement last week on immigration, family migration and the right to family life, the House of Commons will today be encouraged to vote on a Government motion on human rights and immigration. The motion urges MPs to express their support for Immigration Rules published less than 5 working days ago. JUSTICE […]
Defamation Bill
June 8, 2012
The Defamation Bill introduces a statutory definition of defamation and a new minimum threshold of “serious harm” for libel claims. JUSTICE welcomes the Bill as an important step in reforming the law of libel to enhance protection for freedom of expression. JUSTICE Briefing – House of Commons Second Reading – June 2012 Links
Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill
February 5, 2012
This bill received Royal Assent on 1 May 2012 and became the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. View the more information on the passage of the legislation on Parliament’s website. The bill was presented to Parliament on 21 June 2011. The bill is wide-ranging concerning the provision of legal aid, funding and costs in […]
Scotland Bill
January 1, 2012
View the latest information on this bill on Parliament’s website. The bill was presented to Parliament on 30 November 2010. The Bill will implement recommendations of the Final Report of the Commission on Scottish Devolution (the Calman Commission). It would make a number of adjustments to the boundary of devolved responsibilities. JUSTICE welcomes the amendments to the Scotland […]
Identity Documents Bill
December 21, 2011
The main purpose of this bill was to abolish identity cards and the National Identity Register, by repealing the Identity Cards Act 2006. The bill received Royal Assent on 21 December 2010 and became the Identity Documents Act 2010, you can see the bill’s passage through Parliament. JUSTICE Briefing – House of Commons Second Reading – June […]
Protection of Freedoms Bill
December 9, 2011
View the latest information on this bill on Parliament’s website. The bill was presented to Parliament on 11 February 2011. It: brings in a new framework for police retention of fingerprints and DNA data, and requires schools to get parents’ consent before processing children’s biometric information introduces a code of practice for surveillance camera systems and […]