December
Carry an illegal knife, face the consequences
29 December 2008
Tougher, more intensive punishments for people who carry illegal knives were announced today by Justice Minister David Hanson MP who outlined the government's position for 2009.
Vulnerable people to get better protection
17 December 2008
Vulnerable adults who lack mental capacity will benefit from a joined-up approach in responding to concerns about those taking decisions on their behalf and the way they are protected from abuse, according to guidelines published by the Office of the Public Guardian today.
Bereaved families get right to inspect medical forms in cremations cases
17 December 2008
The right of families to inspect medical forms of a deceased relative completed by doctors before cremation takes place will start on 1 January 2009, Justice Minister Bridget Prentice said.
Family courts to be opened up to greater scrutiny
16 December 2008
Family court hearings are for the first time to be opened to accredited media, Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced today, in an oral statement in the House of Commons.
Prison Service publishes report on five-year race review
16 December 2008
The Prison Service today published their Race Review 2008 report detailing progress made within the service on race equality over the past five years.
Approach to restraint of young people to be overhauled following independent review
15 December 2008
The approach to the restraint of young people in young offender institutions, secure training centres and secure children's homes (under-18 secure estates) is to be overhauled, the government announced today.
Justice Minister continues funding support for community sentences project
11 December 2008
New funding for the Local Crime: Community Sentence project has been agreed with Justice Minister David Hanson MP for the next year to support the work they do to engage with local communities.
Justice Minister asks Newcastle for views on community sentences
11 December 2008
The views of the people of Newcastle are being sought today by Justice Minister David Hanson MP on how to ensure we have tough punishments for offenders in the community.
Appointment of members to the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council
11 December 2008
The Lord Chancellor, Jack Straw, has appointed two new members and reappointed one further member to the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council with the agreement of the Scottish and Welsh Ministers.
Ministerial champion for women sets out one-year progress
10 December 2008
Maria Eagle MP has set out the progress made a year since the government's Response to Baroness Corston's report on Women with Particular Vulnerabilities in the Criminal Justice System.
Justice Minister appoints Lord Harris as chair of the new Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody
08 December 2008
Lord Toby Harris has appointed the inaugural Chair of the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody.
Study into local legal advice announced
04 December 2008
A study into the funding and provision of local legal advice has been announced by ministers.
Legal Services Board issues open letter to regulators
02 December 2008
The Chief Executive (Designate) of the Legal Services Board Chris Kenny has today sent an open letter to each of the approved regulators designated under the Legal Services Act 2007.
Offenders to wear high-visibility jackets on 'payback'
01 December 2008
Branded high-visibility jackets must be worn by offenders carrying out work on community payback projects from today as part of a government drive to ensure the public can see punishment being carried out in the community.