What's New – 2006 archive
Sentencing Guidelines Council sends strong message that domestic violence is a serious offence
07 Dec 2006
Domestic violence should be treated by courts as seriously as other violent crimes - that is the principle at the heart of new sentencing guidelines on Domestic Violence and Breach of a Protective Order published today for judges and magistrates.
Home Office responds to draft guidelines on domestic violence and breach of a protective order
07 Dec 2006
In April this year, the Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC) - an independent body comprising members of the judiciary, police, legal professions and those with substantial experience of promoting the interests of victims - published draft guidelines for judges dealing with cases where offenders are found guilty of breach of a protective order or of an offence involving domestic violence.
Cockle Picker Crimefighters Scoop Top Justice Award
24 Nov 2006
The crimefighters who secured justice for the victims of the Morecambe Bay cockle pickers tragedy have scooped the Justice Shield, the top award in the 2006 Justice Awards, for the most exceptional justice performance of the year.
Older People Encouraged to Vounteer in Justice System
22 Nov 2006
Older people are being encouraged to get involved in the fight against crime by volunteering in the Criminal Justice System. The call comes from leading charity Age Concern to mark Inside Justice Week, a government campaign to open up the justice system to the public.
Inside Justice Week is Payback Time
17 Nov 2006
Graffiti in your town centre getting you down? Rubbish strewn across your local park driving you mad? Does your local community centre need a new lick of paint? Ever considered that offenders on unpaid work punishments might be able to do some of the work for you – for free?
Simple Sentencing and Public Protection
09 Nov 2006
New proposals to simplify sentencing and better protect the public were unveiled today by Home Secretary John Reid. The measures will strengthen judges' hands in dealing with dangerous offenders and improve the public's understanding of sentencing.
Criminal Justice System opens its doors to the public
06 Nov 2006
The public will have the chance to get a unique glimpse behind the criminal justice system as this year's Inside Justice Week gets underway across England and Wales.
Theft and Dishonesty Offences - Consultation Paper published
01 Nov 2006
Thieves who target elderly victims on the street or in their homes should face prison sentences - the Sentencing Advisory Panel proposes today in a wide-ranging consultation paper.
Quarterly performance figures for Local Criminal Justice Boards published
26 Oct 2006
The latest quarterly regional performance figures for the Criminal Justice System are published today.
National Justice Awards Finalists Announced
24 Oct 2006
From teddy bears for brave children to fire-fighting training for young offenders, working with young people features highly among the list of finalists for the Justice Awards 2006 announced today.
Victims of crime given a voice in Government
04 Oct 2006
A new panel of experts will advise the Government on how best to meet the needs of victims and witnesses of crime, it was announced today.
Government launches consultation on test for quashing convictions
18 Sep 2006
A consultation paper on how to amend the test used by the Court of Appeal to decide whether a conviction should be quashed was published today by the Government. 'Quashing convictions - report of a review by the Home Secretary, Lord Chancellor and Attorney General,' invites views on how the law should be changed to ensure the Court of Appeal does not quash convictions simply because of an error in the trial or pre trial process where there is clear evidence of guilt.
Developing statistics that drive change: Implementing the Root and Branch Review of the Race and Criminal Justice System Statistics
01 Sep 2006
The race and criminal justice system statistics are one of the main sources of information available on BME people's experiences across the criminal justice system; however since they were first published in 1992 they have developed incrementally. This Review is the first systematic examination of their collection, dissemination and use.
Government and Victim Support pilot improved services for victims of crime
03 Aug 2006
Victims of crime are set to benefit from a boost in help and support after Home Office Minister Gerry Sutcliffe announced a £1million package to pilot new and enhanced victims services today.
Home Secretary pledges 8,000 new prison places - putting public protection and the law-abiding majority first
20 Jul 2006
Eight thousand new prison places were announced today as part of a package of measures to protect the public and further rebalance the criminal justice system in favour of the law-abiding majority.
Lord Falconer puts simple, speedy, summary justice at heart of criminal justice shake-up
20 Jul 2006
Simple, speedy and summary justice is at the heart of Government reforms to rebalance the criminal justice system and increase public confidence, Lord Falconer said today.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority accounts for 2004-5 published
12 Jul 2006
Home Office minister Gerry Sutcliffe, Under-Secretary of State for criminal justice and offender management, today published the accounts of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) for 2004-05. The text of his written statement to parliament can be seen below. A copy of the accounts can be downloaded from the right hand side of this page.
Government publishes responses to Witness Charter consultation
04 Jul 2006
The Government is today publishing a summary of responses to a public consultation and its proposed way forward for a new Witness Charter. The proposed Witness Charter sets out the standards of service which all non-expert witnesses can expect to receive at every stage of the criminal justice process, from the moment they report a crime or incident, through the investigative stage to attending court and giving evidence and post-trial support.
Tackling Race Hate Crime - Publication of Taskforce Report
21 Jun 2006
A report recommending steps to improve the handling of racist and religious crimes across the Criminal Justice System is being published by the Attorney General today.
Stripped of Cash - The Proceeds of Crime Act Reaps Rewards
15 Jun 2006
Police, customs officers and public agencies seized a record £96 million from criminals last financial year, 2005-2006, Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker announced today.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Annual Report
15 Jun 2006
Home Office minister Gerry Sutcliffe, Under-Secretary of State for criminal justice and offender management, today published the annual report and accounts of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) for 2003-04. The text of his written statement to parliament can be seen below. A copy of the accounts can be downloaded from the right hand side of this page.
Letter from Home Secretary to SGC on custody plus
31 May 2006
In March this year, the Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC) - an independent body comprising members of the judiciary, police, legal professions and those with substantial experience of promoting the interests of victims - published draft guidelines for the new sentence of 12 months imprisonment or less (known as "custody plus"), which was part of the sentencing provisions in the Criminal Justice Act 2003.
Quarterly performance figures for Local Criminal Justice Boards published
27 Apr 2006
The latest quarterly regional performance figures for the Criminal Justice System are published today.
Home Secretary responds to draft guideline on allocation
10 Apr 2006
In February this year, the Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC) - an independent body comprising members of the judiciary, police, legal professions and those with substantial experience of promoting the interests of victims - published draft guidelines for the courts dealing with cases which can be tried either in the magistrates' court or the Crown Court about how to decide where the case should be heard.
New rights for victims of crime come into force
03 Apr 2006
Victims of crime now have the legal right to be informed about the progress of their case and information on local support services, thanks to the new Code of Practice for Victims which becomes law today.
Convicting rapists and protecting victims - consultation paper published.
29 Mar 2006
A package of proposals aimed at improving the outcome for victims in rape cases and raising public awareness of the realities of rape are set out in a consultation paper, announced by the Solicitor General, Mike O'Brien today.
Victims' voices get go-ahead: ministers and judiciary agree pilot courts
23 Feb 2006
A ground-breaking way of supporting families of the victim in murder and manslaughter trials starts in five pilot Crown courts from April, including the Old Bailey, which handles a third of all murder and manslaughter trials in England and Wales.
Home Secretary responds to draft sentencing guideline on robbery
17 Feb 2006
Last November, the Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC) – an independent body comprising members of the judiciary, police, legal professions and those with substantial experience of promoting the interests of victims – published draft guidelines for courts dealing with cases where offenders are found guilty of robbery.
Draft Guidelines on Allocation of Cases Published
16 Feb 2006
The Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC) has today published draft guidelines for consultation relating to the allocation of cases between magistrates' and Crown Courts.
Have your say about supporting victims of crime
16 Feb 2006
On 7 December 2005, 'Rebuilding Lives - supporting victims of crime', a consultation paper on services for victims was published. The Consultation closes on March 1 2006, so make sure you have your say by sending in your response.
Home Secretary announces 5 year strategy to protect the public and reduce re-offending
09 Feb 2006
A massive increase in the total amount of visible unpaid work carried out by offenders in the community was announced today by the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke.
Quarterly performance figures for Local Criminal Justice Boards published
26 Jan 2006
The latest quarterly regional performance figures for the Criminal Justice System are published today.
Commissioner for victims and witnesses
25 Jan 2006
A recruitment campaign to appoint - for the first time - a new Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses was launched today by Home Office Minister Fiona Mactaggart.
Better communication, better justice - new campaign for Witness Intermediaries
11 Jan 2006
A new recruitment campaign for witness intermediaries will help vulnerable witnesses communicate more complete, more accurate and more coherent evidence in court, leading to better evidence and better justice.