Plans for a new tool to tackle economic crime were published today for consultation by Solicitor General Edward Garnier QC and Justice Minister Crispin Blunt. Under Deferred Prosecution Agreements, companies would agree to publically admit wrongdoing, and meet tough conditions such as payment of substantial penalties, undertaking internal reform and submitting to regular review and monitoring.  The whole process would be overseen by a judge and the threat of full prosecution would remain hanging over a company should they fail to comply with the agreement.  Solicitor General Edward Garnier QC said:'If we can encourage companies to self-report ...

More women and people from minority backgrounds will be encouraged to become judges under plans announced today by Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke. Mr Clarke revealed that new laws would be put in place to remove obstacles which can limit diversity in the judiciary. They include changing the rules to extend part-time working patterns for senior judges, intended to help balance work and family lives, and enabling ‘positive action’ for appointments – meaning that if two candidates are completely equal in their abilities, a selection can be made on the basis of improving diversity. The moves will not change the over-riding principle ...

Courts in England and Wales will be more publicly accessible than ever before when television broadcasting is introduced, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke said today. Plans to overturn the ban on filming and broadcasting from law courts were yesterday unveiled as part of the Queen’s Speech and will form part of the Crime and Courts Bill announced today. Once the legal changes have been made broadcasting will be introduced initially at the Court of Appeal, where filming will be permitted of opening and closing legal arguments made by lawyers and the judgements handed down. The Government will later look to ...

Paul Turner, who leads on conciliation and mediation at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, explains why they are supporting the business dispute resolution commitment, part of reforms outlined in 'Justice for business: supporting business and promoting growth'. In the current economic climate, the huge potential to save costs, time and the need to find a business-driven commercial solution must make the use of mediation a first step in any dispute, whether it's for the individual, partnership, company or corporate. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales has already recognised the advantages and benefits ...

A raft of new measures to transform the justice system were set out today as part of the Queen’s Speech at the annual state opening of Parliament. Over the next year the courts and tribunals service will be reformed to increase efficiency and transparency, while the judicial appointments process will be reformed to encourage greater judicial diversity. Measures will also be put in place to protect free speech, and to make the security services more accountable, by allowing civil courts to consider all information relating to a case - even where national security prevents it from being made public. ...

Constitution Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]

That this House considers that any attempt to economise on our arcane, high fee, high cost and adversarial justice systemby cutting legal aid must deprive the poor and people of modest ...

That this House notes with concern that proposed legal aid cuts will lead to a loss of face-to-face advice for debt, employment, housing and welfare benefits that could make the funding ...

Government response. Ministry of Justice report [Commons]

That this House notes with great concern the Secretary of State for Justice's statement that, as part of the Government's proposed cuts to access to legal aid, `No win, no fee is ...

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