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Last updated: 29 October 2009
The Ministry of Justice's (MoJ) role is to improve the justice system for the public and is also responsible for constitution, electoral matters and upholding rights. It is headed by the Secretary of State for Justice.
Priorities for the Ministry are to reduce re-offending and protect the public, to promote justice, to provide access to justice, increase confidence in the justice system, uphold people's human rights, information and democratic rights and to safeguard and modernise our constitution.
The MoJ incorporates the former Department for Constitutional Affairs, National Offender Management Service (NOMS) which includes the Prison Service and Probation Service, and the Office for Criminal Justice Reform (OCJR). The Secretary of State is the government minister responsible to parliament for the judiciary and the court system.
Jack Straw
Leads on:
Private Office to The Rt Hon Jack Straw MP
Michael Wills
Leads on:
Private Office to The Rt Hon Michael Wills MP
Maria Eagle
Leads on:
Also Parliamentary Secretary at the Government Equalities Office
Private Office to Maria Eagle MP
Lord Bach
Leads on:
Bridget Prentice
Leads on:
Private Office to Bridget Prentice
Claire Ward
Leads on
Private Office to Claire Ward MP
HM Court Service took on the responsibility for the Magistrates' Court Service and Court Service with effect from 1 April 2005. The Agency is responsible for the administration of the civil, family and criminal courts in England and Wales. It supports the judiciary to enable criminal cases to be heard, civil disputes to be adjudicated, family proceedings to be decided, judgments to be enforced and grants of probate to be issued.
The Land Registry guarantees the title to, and records the ownership of, interests in registered land in England and Wales.
The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) is responsible for the commissioning and delivery of adult offender management services for England and Wales within the strategic policy framework set by Government. The Agency co-ordinates the delivery of prison services (incorporating HM Prison Service and oversight of privately run prisons) and probation services to enable offender management to be delivered more easily, and to strengthen and streamline commissioning to improve service efficiency and effectiveness.
The National Archives was launched in April 2003, and brought together the Public Record Office and the Historical Manuscripts Commission.
The Office of the Public Guardian promotes and protects the private assets and financial affairs of people with a mental disability.
The Tribunals Service was launched on 1 April 2006 to provide common administrative support to the main central government tribunals.