We were delighted that Lord Chief Justice has launched our strategy for 2014-16. His speech – Reshaping Justice – was apt. The new strategy reflects a reinvigoration of our organisation, one which sees us return our focus to the proper working of our justice system. We launch our new vision at a time when that […]
MPs debate latest criminal justice proposals and judicial review cuts
February 20, 2014
MPs will return from their week long February recess on Monday to the Second Reading debate on the new Criminal Justice and Courts Bill. The Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 5 February 2014. It would introduce a number of significant changes to criminal and civil justice system and to the substantive […]
Future of the ECHR – JUSTICE consultation response
January 30, 2014
The Council of Europe is currently conducting a consultation on the longer term future of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The consultation closed on 27 January 2014 and is this exercise will continue until Spring 2015. JUSTICE considers that the future of the Convention system must build upon a commitment to the right […]
Immigration Bill – House of Commons Report Stage
JUSTICE is concerned that the Immigration Bill would create a more legally obscure system of immigration control, which places greater power in the hands of administrative authorities without effective means of independent oversight. Read our briefing for the Report Stage of the bill in the House of Commons
Saudi torture judgment must not undermine international torture ban
January 14, 2014
JUSTICE, Amnesty International, REDRESS & INTERIGHTS respond to the European Court of Human Rights’ judgment in Jones v UK After more than ten years of litigation, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has today told three British men that they cannot sue Saudi Arabia or its officials for torture they claim they were subjected […]
JUSTICE says JR plans ‘ill-considered, poorly evidenced and ill-advised’
November 26, 2013
JUSTICE response to Lord Chancellor’s consultation ‘Judicial Review: Proposals for further reform’ (CM 8703) JUSTICE considers that the proposals for reform in Judicial Review: Proposals for further reform are ill-considered, poorly evidenced and ill-advised. The proposed changes: appear designed to insulate public decision makers from effective judicial oversight could have a significant impact on public […]
Lords debate Anti-Social Behaviour Bill
October 28, 2013
JUSTICE is concerned about the range of the measures in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill. The Bill is lengthy and broad in its scope, covering such diverse issues as compensation for miscarriages of justice, extradition and counter-terrorism powers exercised at ports and other points of entry to the UK. As the House of […]
Immigration Bill
October 22, 2013
The Immigration Bill has its Second Reading debate in the House of Commons this morning. We regret that the Bill will receive its House of Commons Second Reading only six sitting days after its publication. Given the complexity of this area of law we regret that more time has not been allowed for Parliamentarians to […]
Legal aid: JUSTICE evidence to JCHR
September 27, 2013
JUSTICE considers that the proposals for reform in Transforming legal aid are ill-considered, rushed and unsupported by evidence. We consider that each of the proposals under consideration by the JCHR will undermine the rule of law and significantly restrict access to justice for individuals without independent means. We are specifically concerned that the proposals to […]
JUSTICE regrets rush-job done on Secret Court Rules
July 8, 2013
JUSTICE considers that the operation of closed material procedures (CMP) is inherently damaging to our system of justice. Their introduction by Part 2 of the Justice and Security Act 2013 (“the JSA”) into civil proceedings is unfair, unnecessary and unjustified. That one party will present his case unchallenged to the judge in the absence of […]