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 […]

In January 2021, JUSTICE responded to the Ministry of Justice’s “Proposals for reforms to arrangements for obtaining permission to appeal from the Upper Tribunal to the Court of Appeal”. The proposals sought to limit access to the Court of Appeal and impose stricter tests, in order to improve efficiency. JUSTICE was unable to support any […]

8 December 2020 JUSTICE responds to the Ministry of Justice’s public consultation on making some parole hearings open to victims of crime and the wider public, part of the government’s ‘root and branch review of the parole system”. The consultation forms the Government’s first action on its “root and branch review” of the parole system, […]

On 16 July 2020, amid the #BlackLivesMatter protests across the world, the Government launched the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities to explore the issues of racial and ethnic disparities in the UK, with particular reference to the areas of health, education, criminal justice and employment. It intends to report by the end of 2020. […]

JUSTICE has submitted a response to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee’s call for evidence in relation to their inquiry into the Government’s Constitution, Rights and Democracy Commission. We have stressed that if a Commission is going to be set up, it should examine ways in which the rule of law and fundamental rights […]

JUSTICE appreciates the importance of tackling knife crime. However, this must be done in a fair, proportionate and evidence-based manner. In the first instance, it is not clear why SVROs are necessary. The Home Office’s own data indicates that stop and search is ineffective in tackling crime, with its application to knife-related offences suggesting no […]

On 16 September 2020, the Secretary of State for Justice brought before the House of Commons a White Paper titled ‘A Smarter Approach to Sentencing’. While JUSTICE commends the aims of certain policy proposals, there nevertheless remain several points of concern which we would invite the Government to address through consultation. By way of background, […]

JUSTICE submitted a response to the Justice Committee’s “Future of Legal Aid” Inquiry at the start of November 2020. Our contributions focused on civil legal aid, and included submissions on: how LASPO has impacted access to justice, citing particular issues with legal aid provision in family, housing and benefits disputes, in accordance with our discrete […]

In July the Government announced an Independent Review of Administrative Law to consider potential reforms to the substance of, and procedures for, judicial review. JUSTICE have submitted a response to the Review’s Call for Evidence shaped by an Advisory Group, chaired by Lord Dyson and comprising the following members: Zahra Al-Rikabi; Professor Gordon Anthony; Catherine […]

23 October 2020 The Justice Committee is currently conducting an inquiry into whether the number of sitting days available will be sufficient to clear the backlog of cases in the courts and what long-term solutions, including digital hearings, may be possible. We submitted a response, highlighting our work on the virtual jury trial as a […]