Research Briefing
On 16 December 2013 the Government published a White Paper which included a Draft Modern Slavery Bill. The draft Bill contains provisions to: consolidate existing offences, create new civil orders and establish and new Anti-Slavery Commissioner. The Bill will undergo pre-legislative scrutiny.
Research Briefing
On International Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) day on 6 February 2014, Government ministers signed up to a declaration on FGM. It said there is no justification for this practice – it is child abuse and it is illegal. FGM has been illegal since 1985 and the most recent Female Genital Mutilation Act
Research Briefing
The Criminal Justice and Courts Bill would make a number of changes to the criminal justice system including sentencing; cautions; prisoners’ release and recall; and the detention of young offenders. It would also reform court proceedings and costs; establish a new system of strict liability in contempt proceedings; create new offences for juror misconduct; make changes to the conduct and funding of judicial review claims; and amend the law on extreme pornography.
Research Briefing
This note is designed to complement two earlier Standard Notes on extradition namely: ‘The UK/US Extradition Treaty’ (SN/HA/2204) and ‘The introduction of the European Arrest Warrant’ (SN/HA/1703) which each set out background information to the introduction of the current extradition regime (governed by the Extradition Act 2003).
Research Briefing
This note gives background on Lords Amendments to the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Bill, which are due to be considered by the Commons on 4 February 2014.
Research Briefing
Summary of statistics on the extent and nature of domestic violence from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW).
Research Briefing
On 25 November 2013, it will be a year since two new stalking offences came into force. This Thursday sees a Backbench Business Committee Debate in the House of Commons on the implementation of the new law. So has changing the law done enough to protect victims?
Research Briefing
The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill (Bill 7 of 2013-14) is due to have its report stage on 14 and 15 October 2013. This note sets out the debate so far.
Research Briefing
This note, prepared for the parliamentary debate on 15 July 2013, looks briefly at the current situation regarding the UK's 2014 decision on justice and home affairs measures and lists the 35 measures the Government would like to opt back into.
Research Briefing
This Bill, which is wide-ranging, will receive its second reading in the House of Commons on 10 June 2013. Amongst other changes, it would reform the “tool kit” of remedies for anti-social behaviour; amend the law on dangerous dogs; introduce new firearms offences; criminalise forced marriage; give powers to the new College of Policing; implement some of the Winsor report’s recommendations on police remuneration; provide new powers for the Independent Police Complaints Commission; and make changes to compensation for miscarriage of justice.
Research Briefing
This note outlines the reasons for the Partnership (Prosecution) Scotland) Bill. This is one of a series of Bills suggested by the Law Commissions of either Scotland or England & Wales.
Research Briefing
This note considers the potential criminal liability of householders who use force against intruders. Such householders will have a complete defence if they can demonstrate they were using reasonable force in self defence. However, cases such as those of Tony Martin and Munir Hussain have led some to call for a change in the law so that the test is one of "not grossly disproportionate force" rather than "reasonable force". The Government is now proposing to legislate for such a change by way of the Crime and Courts Bill.
Research Briefing
This Bill is due to go through all its Commons stages under the Fast-Track procedure on 5 December 2012. It would make two changes to the powers of the Independent Police Complaints Commission. These are designed to enable the Commission to investigate allegations against the police in relation to the Hillsborough disaster. The Bill has reportedly been welcomed by the Opposition. It extends to England and Wales, and parts of it extend to the whole UK.
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