Parliament The Public Accounts Committee has published a report on the Ministry of Justice’s reforms to the probation system, aimed at reducing reoffending. The report expressed concerns about a lack of progress with the reforms. The new Secretary of State for Justice Liz Truss has given evidence to the Justice Committee. She confirmed that the … Continue reading
Parliament The Joint Committee on Human Rights has published a report on the Government’s proposals for a Counter-Extremism Bill. The Committee cautioned against introducing further legislation in this area, suggesting that the Government should instead use the existing extensive legal framework for dealing with people who promote violence. Advocate General Saugmansagard Øe of the Court … Continue reading
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is undertaking a scoping project to explore ways of increasing access to effective and efficient dispute resolution for equality and human rights disputes, outside the courts and tribunals system. In particular, the EHRC is considering whether it would be appropriate for the Commission to play a greater role in … Continue reading
Parliament The Investigatory Powers Bill has completed report stage and third reading in the House of Commons. Labour won a number of concessions from the Government, including an overarching privacy clause, stronger protections for sensitive and confidential material, and a review of the necessity and utility of bulk powers. David Anderson QC will conduct the … Continue reading
By Dr Nick O’Brien, Honorary Research Fellow, University of Liverpool Some reflections on an international conference in Belfast, 26-27 May 2016, on Human Rights: A 21st Century Approach to the Work of Ombudsmen The ombuds institution in the UK, ever since its reception in 1967, has been associated chiefly, in its public-sector form at least, … Continue reading