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 […]
JUSTICE launches timely report on racial disparities of children in the youth justice system
February 25, 2021
This Working Party of JUSTICE, which publishes its report Tackling Racial Injustice: Children and the Youth Justice System on 25 February 2021, seeks to examine the causes of BAME disproportionality in the Youth Justice System (YJS) of England and Wales. At most stages – from arrest to custody – the proportion of Black, Asian and […]
JUSTICE issues briefing on the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill to the House of Lords for Ping Pong
February 9, 2021
JUSTICE has prepared a briefing that addresses JUSTICE’s concerns; namely, that the Bill would provide no limit on the types of criminal offences that public bodies could authorise undercover operatives to engage in, including rape, murder and torture. While we welcome certain government proposals that have mitigated some of our concerns with the Bill, we […]
JUSTICE and Just For Kids Law issue joint briefing on the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill to the House of Commons supporting Lords Amendments
January 27, 2021
JUSTICE and Just For Kids Law have jointly issued this briefing which sets out our deep concerns with the use of children and vulnerable adults as covert operatives under the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill. This Bill would allow certain public bodies to grant criminal conduct authorisations to operatives, rendering their criminal acts […]
JUSTICE submits a briefing to the Lords on the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill for Second Reading
January 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 […]
JUSTICE and HMCTS collaborate to redesign Immigration and Asylum Tribunal poster
January 15, 2021
We have continued to collaborate with HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) in our work ensuring that accessible and easy-to-understand information is available to lay court users, as recommended in Understanding Courts (2019) and Immigration and Asylum Appeals – a Fresh Look (2018). We previously updated members on the successful incorporation of JUSTICE suggestions into […]
JUSTICE submits a briefing and endorsed amendments to the Lords on the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill for Report Stage
January 11, 2021
This briefing addresses JUSTICE’s serious concerns with the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill, which amends Part II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. The Bill would create an unprecedented power for public bodies (from law enforcement to the Food Standards Agency) to authorise covert operatives to commit criminal offences with impunity. […]
JUSTICE response to proposals to restrict appeals from the Upper Tribunal to the Court of Appeal
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 […]
Ministry of Justice consultation on public parole hearings
December 8, 2020
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, […]