JUSTICE Working Party Chair Sir Robert Owen has today written to Dame Elish Angiolini, copying in the Home Secretary, in respect of the public inquiry into the abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by Wayne Couzens, a serving Metropolitan Police officer. Dame Elish has considerable experience in inquiries and investigations, and we welcome her […]
JUSTICE publishes landmark report on reforming the Parole Board and system
January 20, 2022
On 20 January 2022, JUSTICE will publish its report ‘A Parole System fit for Purpose’. The report has been prepared by a Working Party of experts, chaired by Nicola Padfield QC (Hon), Professor of Criminal and Penal Justice at the University of Cambridge. It makes 22 practical, achievable, and well-evidenced recommendations which explore and show […]
Fiona Rutherford appointed new Chief Executive of JUSTICE
November 22, 2021
The Trustees of JUSTICE are delighted to announce today that Fiona Rutherford has been appointed the new Chief Executive of the organisation. An expert, values-led leader, Fiona Rutherford will succeed Andrea Coomber and assume responsibilities on 1 February 2022. Currently the Director of Access to Justice Policy, Ministry of Justice, Fiona is a qualified barrister […]
JUSTICE publishes report on the Windrush Compensation Scheme for victims of the Windrush Scandal
November 15, 2021
The report makes 27 recommendations to improve the administrative and procedural aspects of the Compensation Scheme to ensure the Scheme is accessible, fair, and efficient for those who need it. A lack of trust was identified as the underlying factor in the low number of claims. This JUSTICE Working Group will publish its report ‘Reforming […]
JUSTICE writes to the Prime Minister on establishing a COVID-19 inquiry fit for bereaved people and survivors
July 16, 2021
JUSTICE Working Party Chair Sir Robert Owen has today written to the Prime Minister to draw his attention to the JUSTICE report When Things Go Wrong: The response of the justice system and its recommendations. This follows the Prime Minister’s pledge to establish a statutory public inquiry into the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The […]
JUSTICE and the Administrative Justice Council launch report on reforming the benefits system
July 8, 2021
The joint Administrative Justice Council and JUSTICE Working Party publishes its report Reforming Benefits Decision-Making, on 8 July 2021. It makes recommendations aimed at creating a benefits system that prioritises dignity and respect and places the user at its heart. The benefits decision-making system forms a huge part of the administrative justice landscape in the […]
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 press release on extending custody time limits
September 7, 2020
Today, the Government will lay temporary legislation extending custody time limits by 56 days for all new Crown Court cases from 28th September. These measures will remain in place for nine months. Custody Time Limits safeguard unconvicted defendants by preventing them from being held in pre-trial custody for an excessive period of time. Custody Time […]
JUSTICE launches timely report on urgent reform for major inquests and inquiries
August 24, 2020
When a catastrophic event or systemic failure results in death or injury, the justice system must provide a framework to understand what happened and to prevent recurrence. This Working Party of JUSTICE, which publishes its report When Things Go Wrong: the response of the justice system, on 24th August 2020, seeks to address the erosion […]