The UK Supreme Court heard this week (23 and 24 November 2020) the cross appeals in the case of Begum, a case in which JUSTICE intervened by written submission. The case concerns Shamima Begum who, at the age of 15, left the UK for Syria. Ms Begum married an ISIL fighter and aligned herself with […]
JUSTICE submits a briefing and suggested amendments to the Lords on the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill for Committee Stage
November 20, 2020
This briefing addresses JUSTICE’s concerns; namely, that the Bill would allow public bodies to authorise undercover operatives (“CHIS”) to engage in criminal activities – including rape, murder and torture – with impunity. JUSTICE would welcome placing existing Security Services’ Guidelines on a statutory footing. We believe that it is important that such measures are transparent, […]
JUSTICE submits response to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
November 18, 2020
JUSTICE has submitted a response to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee’s call for evidence in relation to their inquiry into the Government’s Constitution, Rights and Democracy Commission. We have stressed that if a Commission is going to be set up, it should examine ways in which the rule of law and fundamental rights […]
JUSTICE submits response to the Home Office on the proposed ‘Serious Violence Reduction Orders’
November 8, 2020
JUSTICE appreciates the importance of tackling knife crime. However, this must be done in a fair, proportionate and evidence-based manner. In the first instance, it is not clear why SVROs are necessary. The Home Office’s own data indicates that stop and search is ineffective in tackling crime, with its application to knife-related offences suggesting no […]
‘A Smarter Approach to Sentencing’ White Paper
November 5, 2020
On 16 September 2020, the Secretary of State for Justice brought before the House of Commons a White Paper titled ‘A Smarter Approach to Sentencing’. While JUSTICE commends the aims of certain policy proposals, there nevertheless remain several points of concern which we would invite the Government to address through consultation. By way of background, […]
JUSTICE submits a briefing to Lords on the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill
November 4, 2020
This briefing addresses JUSTICE’s concerns with the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill. The Bill would amend Part II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act and allow public bodies to authorise covert human intelligence sources (“CHIS”) to engage in criminal activities – including rape, murder and torture – with impunity. JUSTICE would welcome […]
Justice Committee’s Legal Aid Inquiry
November 3, 2020
JUSTICE submitted a response to the Justice Committee’s “Future of Legal Aid” Inquiry at the start of November 2020. Our contributions focused on civil legal aid, and included submissions on: how LASPO has impacted access to justice, citing particular issues with legal aid provision in family, housing and benefits disputes, in accordance with our discrete […]
Begum v Secretary of State for the Home Department
October 29, 2020
JUSTICE was granted permission to intervene by written submissions in the UK Supreme Court appeal in the case of Begum. The Court considered whether (1) a fair and effective appeal can take place without Begum being granted leave to enter the UK to take part in the substantive Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) appeal; and […]
Independent Review of Administrative Law
October 26, 2020
In July the Government announced an Independent Review of Administrative Law to consider potential reforms to the substance of, and procedures for, judicial review. JUSTICE have submitted a response to the Review’s Call for Evidence shaped by an Advisory Group, chaired by Lord Dyson and comprising the following members: Zahra Al-Rikabi; Professor Gordon Anthony; Catherine […]
Justice Committee Court Capacity Inquiry
October 23, 2020
23 October 2020 The Justice Committee is currently conducting an inquiry into whether the number of sitting days available will be sufficient to clear the backlog of cases in the courts and what long-term solutions, including digital hearings, may be possible. We submitted a response, highlighting our work on the virtual jury trial as a […]