The Renters Rights’ Bill, introduced in September 2024, proposes reform to the private rented sector. This briefing addresses the Bill in advance of its Second Reading in the House of Commons. JUSTICE welcomes many aspects of the legislation, including: However, JUSTICE considers improvement is required for the Bill to achieve its objectives and facilitate all […]
Rising rents make housing dispute system reforms more urgent
August 29, 2024
The Office for National Statistics has just released its yearly update for private rental properties, showing an average annual increase in rent of 8.6% in England. This comes after Government data estimates over 21% of privately rented properties in England fail to meet the ‘Decent Homes Standard’. This makes for an unsafe and unfair environment […]
JUSTICE roundtables on Home Office disclosure and fraud review
August 14, 2024
In October 2023, the Home Office launched an independent review into disclosure and fraud offences. This review, chaired by Jonathan Fisher KC, forms part of the Fraud Strategy published by the previous government in May 2023. In March 2024, JUSTICE hosted four roundtable events in connection with the review. Click here to read a summarised […]
JUSTICE statement on the far-right attacks and violence
August 7, 2024
“We are appalled by the ongoing riots and violence that are leaving communities devastated and people of colour understandably scared for themselves and their families whilst at home and at work. “These shameful actions follow years of scapegoating and dehumanisation by prominent politicians and parts of the media, fanning the flames of racism and Islamophobia. […]
New guide to help MPs navigate Parliament and improve lawmaking
July 24, 2024
Wednesday 24th July 2024 JUSTICE’s newly updated Law for Lawmakers guide will be delivered to all new and returning MPs starting today. MPs are tasked with solving our biggest challenges using a notoriously complex Parliamentary system. Today’s guide aims to help them navigate this to ensure democratic, evidence-based lawmaking. The guide follows recent controversies […]
Joint letter on reform of the Imprisonment for Public Protection Sentence
July 11, 2024
Today a joint letter on reform of the Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences was sent to Shabana Mahmood MP, the new Secretary of State for Justice. The letter is endorsed by a broad coalition of experts, civil society and community organisations, leading activists and campaigners, including JUSTICE, who are opposed to the cruel, inhumane and […]
Fiona Rutherford Opening Remarks: Modernising Criminal Justice Conference 2024
June 11, 2024
Welcome to the Modernising Criminal Justice Conference 2024. As part of my introductory remarks, I want to set the scene for today’s event as well as take advantage of having a wide range of sectors, interests and experience in the room to highlight the opportunities presented by being together for the best part of the […]
Outsourced public services lack oversight, accountability and transparency risking people’s rights, says new JUSTICE report
A landmark report out today finds that current government contracting across local and central government fails to protect the rights of individual service users. Some local authorities, are outsourcing medical assessments to determine individuals’ vulnerability in the context of homelessness applications, without even a basic written contract. One third of all public spending – around […]
Statement on Sam Hallam & Victor Nealon
Grand Chamber dismisses application, but recognises devastating impact of wrongful conviction Today, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights held that the test for compensation introduced in 2014 (Section 133(1ZA) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988) is compatible with Article 6 (2) of the European Convention of Human Rights. The case was […]
Time Better Spent: Improving Decision-making in Prisons
March 21, 2024
Ease prison crisis with Norwegian-style queueing system, finds JUSTICE report A Norwegian-style queueing system and other key reforms could ease the UK’s prison overcrowding crisis and reduce reoffending, a new report by JUSTICE finds. The report warns that such reforms are urgently needed to avoid a repeat of the widespread prison riots of the 1990s. […]