A consultation on the unspent convictions eligibility rule of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012.
This consultation seeks to gather views on whether or not to revise the unspent convictions eligibility rule of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (the Scheme).
Unspent convictions may result in an applicant’s compensation award being reduced or withheld depending on the sentence that has been imposed for the offence committed. The current rule in the...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 of duty of person responsible for animal to ensure welfare). The guideline was last revised in 2017 and, until 2021, the offences it covered were summary only, triable in magistrates’ courts and...More
Please use this questionnaire to tell us where you think there is a significant problem with the law. We want to know what you think is wrong and what practical problems arise. Please give us as much information as you can, even if you cannot answer all the questions.
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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 changes to the guidelines as a result of consultations.
Why Perverting the Course of Justice and Witness Intimidation offences?
There currently is no guideline for perverting the...More
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 increase the efficiency of the criminal justice system;
Deliver fair pay for work done; and
Increase the sustainability and stability of the criminal defence professions.
...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 eligibility criteria (such as our approach to benefits recipients), and the income and capital contributions potentially payable towards the costs of legally aided representation. The proposals set out...More
The Deputy Prime Minister has launched an urgent call for evidence in response to the challenges presented by the increasing use of a form of litigation known collectively as SLAPPs – Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation.
SLAPPs can be characterised as an abuse of the legal process, where the primary objective is to harass, intimidate and financially and psychologically exhaust one’s opponent via improper means.
These actions are...More
The Government has now issued an Easy Read version and an audio version of the consultation.
We will be allowing for extensions until 19 April only for those who would be assisted by an Easy Read or audio version in order to respond. This includes organisations who solely or greatly represent the interests of those who would be assisted by an an audio or Easy Read version in order to respond. Please contact HRAreform@justice.gov.uk in order to request an extension. The consultation...More
This consultation seeks to understand how we can improve victims’ experiences of the criminal justice system across England and Wales.
This consultation is the first significant step towards a landmark ‘Victims’ Law’ - a Bill which will build on the foundations provided by the Victims’ Code to substantially improve victims’ experiences of the criminal justice system. It will make a tangible difference to ensuring all victims of crime receive the support they need through and...More
This consultation seeks views on the government’s proposals to continue to permit outdoor civil marriages and civil partnerships on approved premises, and to permit outdoor religious marriages in the grounds of places of worship.
Since July 2021, couples have been able to have their civil marriage and civil partnership proceedings outside, in the grounds of buildings such as stately homes and hotels which are approved or become approved for civil ceremonies. This was made possible...More
It is a long-held legal principle that an adult must have proper legal authority to access or deal with property belonging to another adult. Where an adult has mental capacity, this legal authority can be provided by an ordinary power of attorney. Where the adult lacks mental capacity the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) provides the framework for them to grant legal authority by a lasting power of attorney while they still have mental capacity, or for third parties to obtain legal...More
The Need for Further Changes to the Terrorism Guidelines
In March 2018 the Sentencing Council published the first package of terrorism sentencing guidelines. They came into force on 27 April 2018 and covered the following offences:
Preparation of Terrorist Acts (Terrorism Act 2006, section 5)
Explosive Substances (Terrorism Only) (Explosive Substances Act 1883, section 2 and section 3)
Encouragement of Terrorism (Terrorism Act...More
The Ministry of Justice is seeking evidence on the role and features of the online system in the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), which will be used to inform the future policy on legal aid fees.
The Ministry of Justice welcomes responses from all interested parties, to ensure that future fees are reflective of the introduction of the online system, and that legal aid practitioners are remunerated for their work in representing some of the most vulnerable...More
What is this consultation about?
The Sentencing Council has been in existence for over ten years and has built up a large body of sentencing guidelines that are in use in courts throughout England and Wales. There are inevitably issues that arise with existing guidelines over time and the Council has decided to hold an annual consultation on miscellaneous amendments to guidelines. This is the first of these annual consultations in which the Council seeks the views of guideline...More
The Ministry of Justice is seeking the views of residents and businesses on proposed plans for two new prisons in the Braintree District.
Having reviewed a number of sites across the country, we believe that land at the Wethersfield Air Base Site in Braintree would be an appropriate location two new prisons.
Before we progress with these proposals, we want to engage with you and your local community to ensure your views are considered and to share with...More
This Call for Evidence is seeking evidence on Dispute Resolution from all interested parties, the judiciary, legal profession, mediators and other dispute resolvers, academics, the advice sector, court users. We are particularly interested in collecting evidence from individuals or organisations with data to share on the relevant questions; or those who have had experience of dispute resolution within and outside of the courts system to support the development of more effective dispute...More
The lasting power of attorney (LPA) was introduced in 2007. It was designed to provide more flexibility and greater protections than its predecessor, the enduring power of attorney (EPA). However, the world is changing and people increasingly want to access services digitally. Digital channels provide many opportunities to improve access and speed of service, but they also require us to think anew about the safeguards we put in place in such systems.
It’s for...More
Ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus gan Gomisiwn y Gyfraith ar gyfer Cymru a Lloegr yw hon. Os ydych eisiau ymateb i'r ymgynghoriad yn Saesneg, pwyswch yma .
Nid yw’r ddeddfwriaeth bresennol sy’n ymwneud a thomenni glo yn darparu fframwaith effeithlon ar gyfer rheoli tomenni glo anweithredol yn yr unfed ganrif ar hugain. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gofyn i Gomisiwn y Gyfraith i werthuso deddfwriaeth bresennol ac ystyried opsiynau ar gyfer deddfwriaeth newydd i sicrhau system reoleiddio gadarn,...More
This is a public consultation by the Law Commission for England and Wales. If you would like to respond to this consultation in Welsh, please click here .
The current legislation relating to coal tips does not provide an effective management framework for disused coal tips in the twenty-first century. The Welsh Government has asked the Law Commission to evaluate current legislation and to consider options for new legislation to ensure a robust,...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 its proposed guidelines before they come into force and makes changes to the guidelines as a result of consultations.
What is this consultation about?
The Council is proposing to issue a sentencing guideline for offences of importation of...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 changes to the guidelines as a result of consultations.
Why Burglary offences?
The Sentencing Council’s Burglary Offences Definitive Guideline was the second guideline developed by...More
This is a public consultation by the Law Commission for England and Wales.
This project concerns the criminal liability of legal persons, such as companies and limited liability partnerships. At present such legal persons usually may only be convicted of a criminal offence if it is an offence without any fault element, sometimes known as a “strict liability” offence, or because an individual or group of individuals who are very senior within the organisation has the...More
Why these amendments to the sexual offences guidelines?
The current definitive sexual offences guidelines were published in 2013 and came into force in 2014. This consultation seeks views on a number of proposed amendments to existing sexual offences guidelines to provide greater clarity and to reflect Court of Appeal case law, and also seeks views on a new draft guideline for the relatively new offence of sexual communication with a child.
The case of Privett and...More
The Ministry of Justice is seeking the views of residents and businesses on proposed plans for a new prison near Market Harborough.
Having reviewed a number of sites across the country, we believe that land next to HMP Gartree, near Market Harborough would be an appropriate location for a new prison.
Before we progress with these proposals, we want to engage with you and your local community to ensure your views are considered and to share with you the benefits that...More
Annwyl ymgynghorai,
Diolch am eich diddordeb yng Nghomisiwn y Gyfraith ac ein 14eg Rhaglen o Ddiwygio’r Gyfraith. Fe fydd eich cyfraniad yn helpu llunio ein blaenoriaethau diwygio’r gyfraith am y tair i bedair blynedd nesaf.
Mae Comisiwn y Gyfraith yn diwygio’r gyfraith er mwyn sicrhau bod y gyfraith yn deg, modern, syml a chost effeithlon. Bwriad yr ymgynghoriad yma ydy i benderfynu pa feysydd o’r gyfraith sydd angen eu hadolygu yn y rhaglen nesaf. I wneud...More
Dear consultee,
Thank you for your interest in the Law Commission and our 14 th Programme of Law Reform. Your contribution will help to shape law reform priorities for the next three to four years.
The Law Commission carries out law reform projects with the aim of making the law fair, modern, simple and cost-effective. The purpose of this consultation is to establish what new areas of law we should review in our next programme. To do this we are asking you to tell us where you...More
This is a public consultation by the Law Commission for England and Wales.
We are conducting a public consultation on provisional proposals to allow for electronic trade documents, such as electronic bills of lading and bills of exchange, to have the same effect in law as their paper equivalents.
For more information about this project, click here .
We recommend that consultees read the consultation paper before...More
This is a public call for evidence by the Law Commission for England and Wales.
The topic of this call for evidence is digital assets. We are seeking views about, and evidence of, the ways in which digital assets are being used , treated and dealt with by market participants. It also seeks views on the potential consequences of digital assets being “possessable”.
Call for evidence: Click here for more information about this project and to view the call for evidence. ...More
The Ministry of Justice is seeking the views of residents and businesses on proposed plans for a new prison in Chorley.
Having reviewed a number of sites across the country, we believe that land next to HMP Garth and HMP Wymott in Chorley may be an appropriate location for a new prison.
Before we progress with these proposals, we want to engage with you and your local community to ensure your views are considered and to share with you the benefits that a potential new...More
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is consulting on the reserved matters of the new prison at Full Sutton.
Following outline planning permission being granted in 2019, MoJ would now like to consult on the reserved matters of the new prison build with the local community, so that we can take into account any feedback ahead of our reserved matters application (RMA), expected to be submitted in Summer 2021
You can find out more information in the...More