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346 results

  • Driving offences and penalties relating to causing death or serious injury

    The government recognises that there is public concern about sentencing for offenders who kill or seriously injure others on the road and is committed to making sure that the legislative framework that the courts operate within reflects the seriousness of offending and the culpability of the offender. Most of the time, the vast majority of drivers drive well. However, sometimes even an error of judgment or loss of attention can have devastating consequences. As a general principle, the... More
    Closed 1 February 2017

  • Breach Offences

    What is the Sentencing Council? The Sentencing Council is the independent body responsible for developing sentencing guidelines for the courts to use when passing a sentence. Why breach? Guidelines are not currently available for all types of breach of court order, and there is variation in the format of the guidelines which do exist and in their scope. There are a number of breach guidelines which were produced by the Council’s predecessor body, the Sentencing Guidelines... More
    Closed 25 January 2017

  • Bladed Articles & Offensive Weapons Consultation

    Overarching issues and the context of the guidelines This consultation seeks views on 3 guidelines; possession of a bladed article/ offensive weapon; threatening with a bladed article/ offensive weapon, and a youth guideline which covers all offences involving bladed articles and offensive weapons. The principal pieces of legislation for the main offences are the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 and the Criminal Justice Act 1988. In addition the adult guideline covers the offence of... More
    Closed 6 January 2017

  • Reforming the soft tissue injury (whiplash) claims process

    The government is bringing forward a package of measures to disincentivise minor, exaggerated and fraudulent road traffic accident related soft-tissue injury claims. The vast majority of these claims are known as whiplash claims. Despite previous government reforms, improvements in vehicle safety and a reduction in the number of reported accidents, the number of personal injury claims following a road traffic accident remains 50% higher than in 2006. This has led to higher car insurance... More
    Closed 6 January 2017

  • Modernising judicial terms and conditions

    We've identified an error on page 7 of the consultation document following some queries about its scope. The current version says that the consultation is “relevant to judicial office holders deployed across courts and HMCTS tribunals in England and Wales”. This is partially incorrect. The proposed measures in the consultation would indeed apply to judicial office holders in courts in England and Wales whose terms and conditions are set by the Lord Chancellor. But they would also... More
    Closed 1 December 2016

  • Tailored reviews of the Legal Services Board and the Office for Legal Complaints 2016: call for evidence

    As part of the UK government’s requirement to reform public bodies, all government departments must conduct a Tailored Review of their arm’s length bodies at least once in the lifetime of a parliament, every 5 years. As with all Tailored Reviews, the reviews of the Legal Services Board (LSB) and the Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) will examine whether there is a continuing need for the function and form of each organisation. If it is agreed that either of the organisations be... More
    Closed 24 November 2016

  • Transforming our justice system: panel composition in tribunals

    This consultation forms part of the ‘Transforming our justice system’ consultation, launched on 15 September. We are accepting responses on the panel composition element of the consultation until Thursday 24 November. You may also wish to respond to the assisted digital strategy and online conviction and statutory fixed fine elements of the consultation , which is open until Thursday 10 November. Due to an administrative error, two of the documents related to this consultation (the... More
    Closed 24 November 2016

  • Expedited immigration and asylum appeals for detained appellants

    The government is consulting on proposals for an expedited appeals process for detained immigration and asylum appellants. Any new process needs to balance speed and efficiency with accessibility and fairness. The key proposals in this consultation are: that there needs to be new dedicated rules for detained appellants within the principal rules to apply the expedited appeals process to all appellants detained in Immigration Removal... More
    Closed 22 November 2016

  • Transforming our justice system: assisted digital strategy, online conviction and statutory fixed fines

    This consultation forms part of the ‘Transforming our justice system’ consultation, launched on 15 September. We are accepting responses on the assisted digital and online conviction and statutory fixed fine elements of the consultation until Thursday 10 November. You may also wish to respond to the panel composition element of the consultation , which is open until Thursday 24 November. Due to an administrative error, two of the documents related to this consultation (the Online... More
    Closed 10 November 2016

  • Consultation on Fee-Paid Judicial Pension Scheme Draft Regulations

    This is a consultation on the draft regulations which are required to establish the Fee Paid Judicial Pension Scheme to comply with court and tribunal rulings in the case of O’Brien and related litigation. The purpose of the regulations once the draft is finalised and subject to the approval of Parliament is to provide eligible fee paid judicial office holders with pension benefits, both retrospective and going forward, which are comparable to those available for salaried judges (in so... More
    Closed 31 October 2016

  • Proposal on the future of Camberwell Green and Hammersmith Magistrates’ Courts

    This consultation sets out the proposal for the future of Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court and Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court, including the closure of the buildings and the work being absorbed by existing courts in London. The closures will also contribute to the consolidation of the London criminal court estate and, through disposal, provide funding for the ongoing process of reforming court and tribunal services in England & Wales. The consultation seeks the views of... More
    Closed 27 October 2016

  • Transforming our justice system: consultation

    This consultation has been superseded by two separate consultations: Transforming Our Justice System: Assisted Digital Strategy, Online Conviction and Statutory Fixed Fines (closed 10 November) Transforming Our Justice System: Panel Composition in Tribunals (closing date 24 November) This is due to administrative error where two documents (the Online Convictions/Statutory Fixed Fine Impact Assessment & Equalities Statement, and the Panel Composition Equalities Statement) were not... More
    Closed 19 October 2016

  • Reform of judicial review: request for further views on the provision of financial information to other parties

    The government is setting out how it intends financial information to be provided and used in connection with judicial reviews, and seeking further views on one aspect. Following the consultation, and discussions with senior stakeholders, the government has decided to invite further views on one aspect of the reforms, regarding the provision to other parties of financial information provided under section 85 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015. The invitation to provide... More
    Closed 18 August 2016

  • Magistrates’ court sentencing guidelines

    The Sentencing Council is consulting on draft guidelines for a group of summary offences covered by the Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Guidelines (MCSG) and is seeking the views of people interested in criminal sentencing. Following consultation, when the revised guidelines are produced, they will apply to all offenders aged 18 and older, who are sentenced on or after the date it comes into force, regardless of the date of the offence. The current MCSG were last fully updated in 2008... More
    Closed 11 August 2016

  • Legal services: removing barriers to competition

    On 30 November 2015 the government published, ‘A Better Deal: boosting competition to bring down bills for families and firms,’ which set out the government’s approach to encouraging open and competitive markets, for the benefit of the UK economy and UK consumers. As part of this, the government pledged that it would consult on removing barriers to entry for alternative business models in legal services. Alternative Business Structures (ABS) are firms which are partly or wholly... More
    Closed 3 August 2016

  • Sentencing youths: Overarching principles and offence specific guidelines on sexual offences and robbery

    The Sentencing Council is seeking views on the draft guideline ‘Sentencing Youths – Overarching Principle and Offence-Specific Guidelines for Sexual Offences and Robbery’. The predecessor body to the Sentencing Council, the Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC) published a definitive guideline Overarching Principles - Sentencing Youths, in November 2009. It also published offence-specific guidelines for youths within its definitive robbery guideline, published in July 2006, and within... More
    Closed 3 August 2016

  • Lammy Review of BAME representation in the Criminal Justice System: call for evidence

    In January 2016 the Prime Minister invited David Lammy MP to find out why official figures show that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups appear to be over-represented at most stages of the criminal justice system, and what can be done about it. This is an independent review. It aims to make sure that everyone is treated equally, whatever their ethnicity. The review will look at the way the CJS deals with young people and adults from BAME backgrounds. It will address... More
    Closed 30 June 2016

  • Appeals to the Court of Appeal: proposed amendments to Civil Procedure Rules and Practice Direction

    This consultation seeks your views on proposals to amend the Civil Procedure Rules in respect of appeals to the Court of Appeal. The proposals are suggested as part of a package of reforms to alleviate pressure on the Court of Appeal. The proposals in this consultation amend the Civil Procedure Rules (which govern court procedure in England and Wales) - (1) to increase in the threshold for permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal; (2) to remove the automatic right of oral... More
    Closed 24 June 2016

  • Consultation on proposals for the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) and Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) fees

    This consultation sets out the government’s proposals for charging fees in the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) and the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) at full cost recovery levels. To achieve this we are proposing increasing the fees currently charged in the First-tier Tribunal and the introduction of fees for permission to appeal applications and for appeals heard in the Upper Tribunal. Alongside the fee increases the consultation also seeks views on a... More
    Closed 3 June 2016

  • Reduction in sentence for a guilty plea guideline consultation

    The Sentencing Council is consulting on a draft reduction in sentence for a guilty plea guideline and is seeking the views of people interested in criminal sentencing. The Council is required by law (Coroners and Justice Act 2009 s.120(3)(a)) to produce a guideline on reductions for guilty pleas. There is a current definitive guideline issued by the Council’s predecessor body, the Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC) in 2007 (see link below – PDF 1). The Council collected data on... More
    Closed 5 May 2016

  • Claims Management Regulation consultation: cutting the costs for consumers – financial claims

    This consultation paper sets out proposals to place restrictions on the level of fees that regulated Claims Management Companies (CMCs) can charge consumers in the financial products and services claims sector. The consultation seeks views and further evidence in relation to the proposals and is aimed at all regulated CMCs, trade bodies and anybody with an interest in claims management matters in England and Wales. Proposals We are seeking views and further evidence in relation to... More
    Closed 11 April 2016

  • Fee proposals for grants of probate

    This consultation sets out the government’s proposals for reforming the fee payable for an application for a grant of probate. The proposed fee regime will move from a flat to a banded fee approach, proportionate to, and rising with, the value of the estate, and at the same time will increase the value of the estate below which no fee is payable from £5,000 to £50,000, lifting some 30,000 estates out of paying any fee. The proposals are intended to be fair and progressive. The Government... More
    Closed 1 April 2016

  • Consultation on cremation following infant cremation inquiries

    This consultation seeks views on proposals for a number of changes to the Cremation (England and Wales) Regulations 2008, and for improving other aspects of cremation practice. The consultation follows the Government’s consideration of the recommendations of two inquiries into infant cremations: David Jenkins’ inquiry into the way infant cremations were carried out at Emstrey Crematorium in Shropshire between 1996 and 2012. David Jenkins’ June 2015 report established that... More
    Closed 9 March 2016

  • Imposition consultation

    The Sentencing Council is proposing to issue a new definitive guideline for imposition of community and custodial sentences. The Sentencing Council is therefore seeking feedback from sentencers, justices’ clerks, legal advisers, prosecutors, defence representatives and other interested parties on proposals to replace the New Sentences - Criminal Justice Act 2003 definitive guideline 'see link below at' (PDF 1) with a guideline for the Imposition of Community and Custodial Sentences. The... More
    Closed 25 February 2016

  • Consultation on Moving Wisbech Work to Cambridgeshire

    In 2011, following a consultation, HM Courts’ Service merged the Local Justice Areas of Peterborough and Fenland and closed the courthouse in Wisbech. As a result of responses to the consultation, it was directed that criminal cases from Wisbech and six surrounding parishes should be heard at Kings’ Lynn magistrate’s court, which is 14 miles from Wisbech, rather than Peterborough magistrates court, which is 22 miles away. In the ensuing years this arrangement has led... More
    Closed 8 January 2016

  • Post-implementation review of the coroner reforms in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009

    When the coroner reforms in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (“the 2009 Act”) came into effect in July 2013, the last Government made a commitment to review their impact after they had been in place for 18 months. The aims of the 2009 Act were to put the needs of bereaved people at the heart of the coroner service; for coroner services to be locally delivered within a framework of national standards; and to enable a more efficient system of investigations and inquests. This review... More
    Closed 31 December 2015

  • Costs protection in environmental claims

    The consultation is aimed at those who may be involved in or affected by environmental legal challenges in England and Wales falling within the scope of the amendments made by the Public Participation Directive (2003/35/EC) (the relevant amendments have now been incorporated into recast versions of the Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU) and the EIA Directive (2011/92/EU)) or within the scope of the Aarhus Convention. This consultation is an opportunity for you to have your say on... More
    Closed 10 December 2015

  • Judicial Appointments Commission Welsh Language Scheme (English version)

    This paper sets out for consultation the JAC's proposed Welsh Language Scheme. The consultation is aimed at those with an interest in judicial appointments, including the judiciary, potential candidates, legal professional bodies and groups with Welsh interests. This voluntary, specialised scheme has been developed to better specify how we treat the Welsh and English languages when using our independent approach to assessing candidates’ suitability for judicial appointment in Wales. It... More
    Closed 4 December 2015

  • Cynllun Iaith Gymraeg (fersiwn Cymraeg) y Comisiwn Penodiadau Barnwrol

    Mae’r papur hwn yn datgan ar gyfer yr ymgynghoriad Gynllun Iaith Gymraeg y Comisiwn Penodiadau Barnwrol. Bwriedir yr ymgynghoriad ar gyfer y rheini sydd â diddordeb mewn penodiadau barnwrol, gan gynnwys y farnwriaeth, ymgeiswyr posibl, cyrff proffesiynol cyfreithiol a grwpiau â buddiannau Cymreig. Mae’r cynllun gwirfoddol, arbenigol hwn wedi cael ei lunio i nodi’n well sut ydym yn trin y Gymraeg a’r Saesneg wrth ddefnyddio ein dull annibynnol o asesu addasrwydd ymgeiswyr ar gyfer... More
    Closed 4 December 2015

  • Enhancing the Quality of Criminal Advocacy

    The Government has issued a consultation paper (Preserving and Enhancing the Quality of Criminal Advocacy) setting out a package of measures to ensure the quality of criminal defence advocacy, reducing the influence of financial incentives on choice of advocate and support clients’ rights to make an informed choice of advocate. The Government has a responsibility to ensure the delivery of an efficient, fair and effective justice system in which the public has confidence and therefore has... More
    Closed 27 November 2015
346 results. Page 7 of 12