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Criminal Justice and Courts Bill

The Criminal Justice and Courts Bill was introduced into the House of Commons on 5 February 2014.

• From: Ministry of Justice
• Published: 5 February 2014
• Last updated: 23 March 2015 — See all updates

The Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 received Royal Assent on 12 February 2015. It makes wide ranging reforms to the justice system as well as targeted provisions to protect the public better and reduce reoffending.

The act will:

• deliver a firm but fair package of sentencing and criminal law reforms that properly punish serious and repeat offenders and better protect victims and the public. People who break the law will not escape the law
• reduce the burden of the cost of courts on hardworking taxpayers by making criminals pay towards the cost of their court cases. We are reforming judicial review to tackle unmeritorious claims and unnecessary delays to the system
• put education at the heart of youth custody, giving young offenders the tools they need to turn their backs on crime
• modernise the law to tackle the influence of the internet on trials by jury to ensure defendants receive a fair trial, reflecting how technology and the wealth of information available at the touch of a button has changed the way we live. We are also increasing the upper age limit for jurors from 70-75 and so harness the knowledge and life experiences of a group of people who can offer significant benefits to the court process

The act

The Criminal Justice and Courts Act and explanatory notes are available on the Parliament website where the Act’s parliament progression is also shown.

Fact sheets

• Criminal Justice and Courts Bill: fact sheets
  • 20 October 2014
  • Policy paper

Impact assessments

• Impact assessments for the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015
  • 3 July 2015
  • Impact assessment
• Criminal Justice and Courts Bill impact assessments
  • 20 October 2014
  • Impact assessment

Overarching documents

• Criminal Justice and Courts Bill: overarching documents
  • 6 February 2014
  • Guidance

Guidance

Circulars for the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.

• Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 guidance
  • 4 March 2016
  • Guidance

Published 5 February 2014
Last updated 23 March 2015 + show all updates

1. 23 March 2015

   Circulars for the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 published.

2. 5 February 2014

   Added impact assessments

3. 5 February 2014

   First published.