Consultation Hub

This site lists consultations that are run by the Ministry of Justice.

For more information on current government consultations go to GOV.UK.

Open Consultations

  • Reform of Local Justice Areas Consultation

    This public consultation seeks views on proposals to replace the current organisation of magistrates’ courts following the abolition of Local Justice Areas. The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 legislated to abolish the system of Local Justice Areas (LJAs) to facilitate greater efficiency...

    Closes 23 June 2025

  • Law Commission Consultation on Criminal Appeals (full paper)

    NEW CONSULTATION CLOSE DATE - FRIDAY 27 JUNE 2025. As a law reform body we are unable to provide legal advice on individual cases. This is a public consultation by the Law Commission of England and Wales on Criminal Appeals ( https://lawcom.gov.uk/project/criminal-appeals/ ). We are...

    Closes 27 June 2025

  • Law Commission Consultation on Criminal Appeals (summary paper)

    NEW CONSULTATION CLOSE DATE - FRIDAY 27 JUNE 2025. Os hoffech ymateb yn Gymraeg, anfonwch ebost i criminal.appeals@lawcommission.gov.uk os gwelwch yn dda. As a law reform body we are unable to provide legal advice on individual cases. This is a public consultation by the Law...

    Closes 27 June 2025

  • New prison in Buckinghamshire

    In January 2024, Outline Planning Permission was granted for the new prison. The next step for the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is the submission of the Reserved Matters Application (RMA) to consider landscaping and appearance in more detail. MOJ is now undertaking a period of engagement with the...

    Closes 29 June 2025

  • Proposal on the future of Lancaster Crown Court consultation

    Lancaster Crown Court is currently closed and has not been utilised for either crime or civil hearings since 2019. We are proposing that Lancaster Crown Court is permanently closed and that crime hearings continue to be heard in Preston Crown Court, a modern and accessible building with capacity to...

    Closes 2 July 2025

Closed Consultations

  • Law commission consultation reviewing the Friendly Societies Act 1974 and 1992

    This is a public consultation by the Law Commission for England and Wales. This project reviews the Friendly Societies Act 1974 (“1974 Act”) and the Friendly Societies Act 1992 (“1992 Act”). The 1974 Act remains in force until there are no longer any societies registered under it....

    Closed 11 June 2025

  • Oversight and regulation of private prosecutors in the criminal justice system consultation

    This consultation outlines proposals for regulating and overseeing private prosecutors in England and Wales, including those using the Single Justice Procedure (SJP). These proposals aim to ensure that private prosecutors adhere to consistent standards and can be held accountable for their...

    Closed 8 May 2025

  • Hare Coursing Sentencing Guideline

    What is the Sentencing Council? The Sentencing Council is the independent body responsible for developing sentencing guidelines which courts in England and Wales must follow when passing a sentence. The Council consults on its proposed guidelines before they come into force and on any...

    Closed 25 April 2025

  • Law Commission Supplementary Consultation on contempt of court

    We are conducting a review of the law on contempt of court and considering the need for reform to improve its effectiveness, consistency, and coherence. Our objective is to produce a law of contempt that is easier to understand, fairer, and that better protects the administration of justice. ...

    Closed 31 March 2025

  • Law Commission consultation on compulsory purchase

    This is a public consultation by the Law Commission for England and Wales. ​Compulsory purchase is a legal mechanism by which certain bodies can acquire land for the public good without the consent of the owner. Landowners also have a right to compensation. The ability to purchase land using...

    Closed 31 March 2025