The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has launched a consultation seeking views on whether the standard of proof for the short-form inquest conclusion of unlawful killing in England and Wales should be changed from the civil standard, on the balance of probabilities, to the criminal standard, beyond reasonable doubt. The consultation follows the Supreme Court’s judgment in R (Maughan) v HM Senior Coroner for Oxfordshire [2020] UKSC 46, which confirmed that all short-form and narrative inquest conclusions are determined on the civil standard. It also follows a Rapid Review published on 24 October 2025 which recommended wider public and stakeholder engagement on the issue. An unlawful killing conclusion may arise where the evidence indicates murder, infanticide or manslaughter, including gross negligence or corporate manslaughter, although an inquest cannot determine criminal or civil liability or apportion blame to a named person. The consultation applies across contexts including workplace deaths, does not extend to suicide, lawful killing or narrative conclusions and is for evidence-gathering purposes only. The consultation closes on 7 December 2026.

The Ministry of Justice, led by Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood, has announced that it has convened 30 major technology firms—including Microsoft, Amazon Web Services and Google—for a roundtable discussion on how advanced technologies can transform the criminal justice system and reduce crime. Chaired by Prison and Probation Minister James Timpson and organised in collaboration with techUK, the event follows research indicating that curfew tags reduce reoffending by 20%. Participants will examine the potential for enhanced offender tracking, improved risk assessments and digital interventions to support rehabilitation. This initiative forms part of the Government’s broader Plan for Change, which aims to modernise the justice framework, address staff workload challenges and improve public safety. A follow-up event is said to be expected to further engage the technology sector in developing solutions for ongoing reform of the criminal justice system.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced measures to increase court capacity and reduce delays, including a pilot allowing cases to be transferred digitally to judges anywhere in the country and the nationwide rollout of Short Trial Courts. The remote hearings pilot, pioneered in London and the North-East, allows judges, defendants, lawyers, court staff and witnesses from across the country to participate in hearings without everyone attending court in person. Participants retain the right to apply to the judge for a face-to-face hearing, and any future expansion of the pilot will be subject to evaluation and judicial approval.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has held a pitch event where seven tech companies presented new surveillance technologies for offender monitoring. This competitive pitch event followed a selection process from over 90 submissions and focused on technologies designed to strengthen community-based punishment and improve safety in prisons. Proposals included AI-powered home monitoring systems to ensure compliance with licence conditions and synthetic ‘smell-detector’ devices capable of identifying drug use both inside and outside prison. Additional innovations featured software to standardise offender data entry and transcription tools aimed at reducing administrative workloads. These technologies are intended to support staff, enhance surveillance and reduce reoffending. The selected proposals will be considered for pilot implementation. This initiative follows the government’s response to the Independent Sentencing Review, which recommended an increased use of technology in sentencing. The government has also committed up to £700m in additional funding for the Probation Service to enable the wider use of electronic monitoring, with recent research indicating that curfew tags can reduce reoffending by 20%.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has extended the deadline for responses to its consultation on proposals to raise funds through an Interest on Lawyers' Client Accounts Scheme in England and Wales. The consultation, which was originally due to close on 9 February 2026, will now close on 9 March 2026.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has extended the closing date for its consultation on proposed amendments to the rules governing several judicial pension schemes. The consultation, which was due to close on 22 September 2026, will now close on 6 October 2026.

Personal Injury analysis: In Marsh v Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) was found liable for prolonging a disciplinary investigation and accompanying suspension against the claimant prison officer. These failings were found to have caused the premature termination of the claimant’s career due to psychiatric injury, and he was awarded over £286,000. Andrew Roy and Vanessa Cashman, barristers at 12 King’s Bench Walk, were counsel for the claimant in what they describe as an unusual and hard-fought stress at work claim.

Law360, London: The Labour government announced an additional £1.9bn funding for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in its first Budget statement on 30 October 2024, coupled with millions of pounds more for criminal prosecutors and fraud investigators.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced reforms to support victims of child sexual abuse, implementing recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). Key changes include the removal of the three-year limitation period for civil claims and shifting the burden of proof from victims to defendants. The Law of Apologies will be amended to encourage institutional apologies without fear of liability. Additional measures include making grooming an aggravating factor in sentencing, introducing a Mandatory Reporting duty, and creating a new offence for covering up abuse. These reforms, following two government consultations in 2024, aim to enhance access to justice for survivors and contribute to the government's commitment to halve violence against women and girls this decade.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has introduced the Courts and Tribunals Bill to Parliament. Under the Bill, defendants will no longer have the right to elect a Crown Court trial in triable-either-way cases and automatic appeal rights from magistrates’ courts will be replaced by a permission-based system. The legislation establishes a new Bench Division within the Crown Court to handle triable-either-way cases expected to result in custodial sentences of three years or less, which will be tried by a judge alone. It also provides for judge-alone trials in technical and lengthy fraud cases.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced the introduction of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill to Parliament. The legislation would create a new professional and legal duty of candour for public officials, backed by criminal sanctions for serious breaches. It would establish non-means tested legal aid for bereaved families at inquests, introduce a new criminal offence for misleading the public, and require legal spending by public bodies at inquests to be proportionate. The measures aim to prevent institutional concealment of facts following public disasters and scandals, applying to all public bodies and officials.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and MP, Alex Davies-Jones have announced the Victims and Courts Bill, aiming to enhance victim protection and improve the justice system. The Bill grants judges new powers to punish offenders who refuse to attend sentencing hearings and restricts parental responsibility for those convicted of child sex offences. It strengthens the role of the Victims’ Commissioner, requiring independent reports on compliance with the Victims’ Code. The Bill includes: measures to impose prison sanctions on offenders who refuse to attend sentencing, extends eligibility to all Crown Court cases and punishes disruptive behaviour in court. It also imposes limitations on parental responsibility for offenders convicted of serious sexual abuse against their own child, preventing interference in the child's life. The Victims’ Commissioner will have enhanced powers to hold the government accountable and produce independent reports on compliance with the Victims’ Code. Additional measures include: updating the Victim Contact Scheme, establishing a new Victim Helpline and requiring local authorities and social housing providers to cooperate with the Victims’ Commissioner.