JUSTICE this week submitted a response to the Ministry of Justice Consultation Paper for amendments to Part 39 of the Civil Procedure Rules (‘CPR’). Part 39 of the CPR governs the principle of ‘open justice’ and the circumstances where it is possible to hold hearings otherwise than in public. JUSTICE welcomes the MOJ’s intention to […]
JUSTICE letter to Home Secretary regarding Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh
July 27, 2018
JUSTICE has written a letter to the Home Secretary expressing concern at the recent decision not to seek assurances from the US Government that it will not pursue the death penalty for Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh in connection with the supply of British intelligence. JUSTICE requests that the Home Secretary: urgently clarify the nature […]
JUSTICE gives submission to the Justice Commission in Wales
July 18, 2018
The Commission on Justice in Wales is currently reviewing the Welsh justice system under wide ranging terms of reference. JUSTICE submitted its evidence to the Commission last week. Our submission focused on court closures, digital exclusion, legal advice shortages and criminal law advice and representation. In particular, we advocated for a flexible deployment of the court […]
The Administrative Justice Council holds its first meeting
July 13, 2018
The Administrative Justice Council held its first meeting at Freshfields LLP in London on Friday 13 July 2018. Forty members from across the administrative justice landscape came together to discuss issues including the courts and tribunal’s reform programme, the ombudsman system, administrative justice in devolved administrations and the Council’s priorities for the year ahead. The […]
New JUSTICE Working Party report on immigration and asylum appeals
July 2, 2018
On Monday 2nd July 2018 at Kingsley Napley LLP, JUSTICE launched its latest Working Party report, Immigration and Asylum appeals – a fresh look. JUSTICE’s Working Party was concerned with the considerable challenges faced by the UK immigration and asylum appeals system. The Working Party took a holistic view of the process – from Home […]
Joint Statement on the report by the Intelligence and Security Committee into Detainee Mistreatment and Rendition
June 29, 2018
The Intelligence and Security Committee’s report has revealed shocking new details of UK complicity in torture and rendition, with UK agencies far more deeply and systemically involved in the US tortureand rendition programme than had previously been publicly known. However, these revelations only expose the tip of the iceberg. The restrictions under which the Committee […]
Courts and Tribunals Bill: Second Reading Briefing
June 20, 2018
JUSTICE has produced a briefing on the Courts and Tribunals (Judiciary and Functions of Staff) Bill ahead of the Second Reading in the House of Lords. JUSTICE is broadly in favour of the content of the Bill. However, our briefing addresses some initial concerns regarding the changes proposed to the judiciary in Clause 1 and […]
Suspects in police detention need effective access to legal assistance
June 12, 2018
Our first Working Party report in Scotland was published on 7 June 2018. The importance of legal assistance during police detention needs to be better understood, not only by suspects but also by the solicitors tasked with providing that assistance, concludes our report Legal Assistance in the Police Station. The report identifies that a concerning number of suspects in […]
JUSTICE response to the Justice Committee’s Disclosure of Evidence in Criminal Cases Inquiry
June 7, 2018
On 6 June 2018, JUSTICE responded to the Justice Committee’s Disclosure of Evidence in Criminal Cases Inquiry. This inquiry aims to investigate disclosure procedures fully to ensure they are fit for purpose and that the steps proposed to address existing issues are sufficient to resolve them. The Committee’s findings will feed into the Attorney General’s […]
New JUSTICE report on preventing digital exclusion
June 5, 2018
London, June 2018 – On Monday 4th June 2018, JUSTICE launched its latest Working Party report, Preventing digital exclusion from online justice. JUSTICE’s Working Party was concerned about the wide range of digitally excluded people – such as those without access to technology or with low digital capability. An ambitious programme of court reforms is […]