What's New – 2007 archive
Findings on conditional cautioning published
17 Dec 2007
The Government is today publishing three papers on conditional cautioning which will be of interest to police and prosecutors.
Government response to Sentencing Guidelines Council draft guideline on Bail Act offences
29 Nov 2007
In a letter of 6 August 2007, David Hanson MP, Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice wrote on behalf of the Government by way of response to the Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC) draft guideline on Bail Act offences.
Convicting rapists and protecting victims - Government announces new measures
28 Nov 2007
The Solicitor General, Vera Baird today announced the response to the Government's consultation paper on convicting rapists and protecting victims – the results of which will play an important part in improving the outcome for victims in rape cases.
The Criminal Justice System Strategic Plan (2008 - 2011) - a local say in delivering justice
15 Nov 2007
An important milestone in the development of a more effective and joined-up criminal justice system (CJS) was marked today with events in Birmingham and London.
Consultation Paper on Sentencing of Corporate Manslaughter
15 Nov 2007
On Thursday 15th November the Sentencing Advisory Panel issued a consultation paper on sentencing for corporate manslaughter. Responses are requested by 7 February 2008.
Prison Imam Scoops Top Justice Award
05 Nov 2007
A Muslim member of the Prison Service Chaplaincy today scooped Britain's top justice award for his work to bring down re-offending.
Quarterly performance figures for Local Criminal Justice Boards published
31 Oct 2007
The latest quarterly regional performance figures for the Criminal Justice System are published today.
Statistics on Race and the Criminal Justice System 2006
30 Oct 2007
The latest statistics on race and the Criminal Justice System (CJS) are published today by the Ministry of Justice.
2007 National Justice Awards Finalists Announced
18 Oct 2007
Front line staff and senior justice officials across England and Wales are celebrating the success of their colleagues folowing the announcement of the finalists for the 2007 national Justice Awards.
The Government publishes its response to the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee Report: Young Black People and the Criminal Justice System
18 Oct 2007
In detailed responses to each of the Committee's recommendations published in June 2007, today's response describes work already underway across Government to tackle the issues highlighted and signals its commitment to build on this progress.
The Criminal Justice System opens its doors to the public
12 Oct 2007
The public will get a unique glimpse into the Criminal Justice System (CJS) in this year's Inside Justice Week taking place across England and Wales from 3 - 10 November.
New Criminal Justice System targets announced for 2008-2011
10 Oct 2007
The Government today published the outcome of its Comprehensive Spending Review. The white paper sets out departmental budgets and priorities for the next three financial years. This includes the three departments which are jointly responsible for the Criminal Justice System (CJS) - the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice and the Law Officers.
Government response to the consultation on quashing convictions
08 Oct 2007
The Government is today (Monday 8 October) publishing the results of the Quashing Convictions Consultation. A total of 33 responses were received from interested parties during the three month consultation period between September and December 2006.
Responses to the consultation paper Making Sentencing Clearer
08 Oct 2007
The Government today published a summary of the responses to its consultation paper Making Sentencing Clearer.
Beacon Approach drives local criminal justice reform
10 Sep 2007
The National Criminal Justice Board has a vision of the Local Criminal Justice Boards (LCJB) as the leaders of change in the CJS, driving criminal justice reform in their respective areas to achieve the greatest improvements in local services. The Beacon Approach, currently being developed with ten LCJBs, is a mechanism for delivering this vision.
Responses to the consultation paper Bringing Offenders to Justice: Criminal Justice Penalties and Sentencing
28 Aug 2007
The consultation explored the way police and prosecutors take decisions in types of criminal cases which may or may not be dealt with by a court.
Quarterly Performance Figures for Local Criminal Justice Boards published 31 July 2007
31 Jul 2007
The latest quarterly regional performance figures for the Criminal Justice System are published today.
Improving Justice Delivery for Victims and Witnesses
26 Jul 2007
Better justice for victims and witnesses is the aim of an updated Criminal Case Management Framework (CCMF) designed to help all those dealing with cases in magistrates' courts.
Restricting the use of backed for bail warrants
04 Jul 2007
In its review 'Re-balancing the Criminal Justice System in favour of the law-abiding majority' published in July 2006, the Government committed to consult on how to restrict the use of backed for bail warrants. The consultation was published on 28th December 2006. This paper summarises the response to that consultation.
Improving the Criminal Trial Process for Young Witnesses
22 Jun 2007
The Government recognises that witnesses are vital to the success of the criminal justice process and is determined to ensure that young victims and witnesses have access to justice.
Ministry of Justice Launched
09 May 2007
The Ministry of Justice was today hailed as a "huge step forward" in the government's drive to reform courts, prisons and the probation service.
Quarterly performance figures for Local Criminal Justice Boards published 3 May 2007
03 May 2007
The latest quarterly regional performance figures for the Criminal Justice System are published today.
Government Response to Draft Sentencing Guidelines on Sexual Offences
30 Apr 2007
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 offences in the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Sexual Violence & Abuse Action Plan
02 Apr 2007
A new cross-government action plan on sexual violence and abuse has been backed up by an immediate investment of £2 million for support services for victims of sexual abuse.
Ministry of Justice Announcement
29 Mar 2007
The Prime Minister today (29 March 2007) announced that a new Ministry of Justice will be established. The changes will come into effect on 9 May 2007.
Research Announced on Public Attitudes to Alternatives to Prosecution
29 Mar 2007
The Office for Criminal Justice Reform (OCJR) commissioned Ipsos MORI to undertake qualitative and quantitative research into public attitudes to alternatives to prosecution, which was conducted between March and May 2006.
Consultation on the revised Code of Practice for conditional cautions
06 Mar 2007
The conditional cautions scheme aims to divert lower level offenders from court and has proved effective in addressing the needs of both victims and offenders, allowing swift and appropriate resolutions. Conditions are aimed at rehabilitation (addressing the offender's behaviour) and/or reparation (making good the harm the offender has caused) and may include restorative justice processes. Conditional cautions are not aimed at contested or more serious cases, or at prolific or serious offenders, for whom Court is the right forum for deliberation and adjudication.
Simple Speedy Summary Justice
28 Feb 2007
Simple Speedy Summary Justice (CJSSS), a new way of working to encompass a simpler set of processes and procedures, has been successfully piloted in magistrates' courts in four areas.
Sentencing advisory panel consults on offences taken into consideration
08 Feb 2007
Heavier sentences will always be appropriate in cases where offenders convicted of a criminal offence admit to other crimes. That is the clear message set out in a consultation paper published today by the Sentencing Advisory Panel.
Sentencing Advisors to Probe Public Views on Punishments for Causing Death by Dangerous Driving
25 Jan 2007
The public is to be asked for views on appropriate sentences for drivers who commit offences that result in the death of one or more victims in a major consultation launched today. The Sentencing Advisory Panel is commissioning independent researchers to investigate public attitudes to sentences in death by driving cases.
Revised Consultation Guideline on Reduction in Sentence for a Guilty Plea
22 Jan 2007
In December 2004, the Council issued a definitive guideline 'Reduction in Sentence for a Guilty Plea', to be applied to offences sentenced on or after 10th January 2005. At the request of the Council, the Sentencing Advisory Panel has conducted a review of the guideline involving extensive consultation. The Council has prepared a revised draft guideline for consultation which is published today.
Bringing Offenders to Justice - Criminal Justice Penalties and Sentencing
02 Jan 2007
The purpose of this paper is to summarise Government's current policy on penalties and sentencing. In particular, it sets out where out of court penalties and other interventions fit in our overall approach. It is intended to provide information to support current public consultation exercises, such as those on sentencing 'Making Sentencing Clearer' and on anti social behaviour 'Strengthening powers to tackle Anti Social Behaviour', both of which were published in November 2006.