The changes to the benefits system currently being implemented under the Welfare Reform Act 2012 mean that a number of benefits that have historically been used as an administrative marker to “passport” applicants through parts of the criminal and civil legal aid means tests to free (ie,...More
This consultation paper sets out proposals for the reform of the funding scheme which pays litigators to defend clients in the Crown Court and payments to court appointees.
The government is seeking views on all aspects of these proposals. More
This is a consultation on a competitive tendering approach for the Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme which will consolidate the current number of schemes through joining courts allowing for larger and more sustainable contracts for providers.
Providers will offer their services at a price,...More
This consultation sets out the government’s review of Employment Tribunal (ET) fees and sets out proposals for reforming the Help with Fees scheme.
The government’s review of ET fees shows that the introduction of fees has broadly met its objectives:
users are contributing between...More
This consultation paper sets out proposals for the reform of the funding scheme which pays advocates to defend clients in the Crown Court. The government is seeking views on all aspects of these proposals. In particular, the government would like to hear views specifically on:
The...More
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMI Prisons) is an independent inspectorate with a statutory duty to report on the treatment of and conditions for prisoners. We conduct our inspections using a set independent criteria underpinned by international human rights standards, known as...More
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...More
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...More
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...More
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...More
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.
...More
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...More
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...More
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...More
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...More
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...More
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...More
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)
...More
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...More
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...More
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...More
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...More
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...More
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...More
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...More
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...More
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...More
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...More
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...More
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...More