In December 2021 the department published Sir Christopher Bellamy QC’s independent review into criminal legal aid. This explored what is working well and what more could be done to improve criminal legal aid for providers and the public.
We want to:
Use legal aid to...More
In February 2019, the government announced a review of the means test for legal aid as part of the Legal Support Action Plan.
This review has considered the legal aid means tests in the round, including the income and capital thresholds for civil and criminal legal aid eligibility, wider...More
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 proposed guidelines before they come into force and makes...More
What is this consultation about?
The current sentencing guideline for animal cruelty, which can be found here , encompasses offences contrary to the following sections of the Animal Welfare Act 2006: section 4 (unnecessary suffering), section 8 (fighting, etc.) and section 9 (breach...More