*/
A legislative right to restorative justice should replace the current ‘postcode lottery’, the Justice Committee said, in its Restorative justice report.
Under the Victim’s Code, victims have a right to be informed about restorative justice schemes. But the committee found there was ‘mixed compliance’ with it and said the schemes were subject to a ‘postcode lottery’.
It cited a poll that found public awareness of restorative justice was low, at 28%, but that 80% of people questioned thought victims should have the right to meet their offenders.
The committee said the Government should ‘work towards’ establishing a law that gives all victims the right to restorative justice, but said it should only be enacted once ministers have demonstrated that the system has the capacity to deliver.
Committee chairman Bob Neill MP said: ‘The priority must be to ensure that victims of crime are properly informed. The Ministry of Justice should focus its resources on ensuring restorativejustice is well understood by bodies within the criminal justice system who can then convey this information to victims.
‘A rigorous system should be introduced to improve compliance with the police’s requirement to inform victims – perhaps something as straightforward as a box at the end of the victim impact statement form,’ he said.
The Ministry of Justice said it would consider the report.
A legislative right to restorative justice should replace the current ‘postcode lottery’, the Justice Committee said, in its Restorative justice report.
Under the Victim’s Code, victims have a right to be informed about restorative justice schemes. But the committee found there was ‘mixed compliance’ with it and said the schemes were subject to a ‘postcode lottery’.
It cited a poll that found public awareness of restorative justice was low, at 28%, but that 80% of people questioned thought victims should have the right to meet their offenders.
The committee said the Government should ‘work towards’ establishing a law that gives all victims the right to restorative justice, but said it should only be enacted once ministers have demonstrated that the system has the capacity to deliver.
Committee chairman Bob Neill MP said: ‘The priority must be to ensure that victims of crime are properly informed. The Ministry of Justice should focus its resources on ensuring restorativejustice is well understood by bodies within the criminal justice system who can then convey this information to victims.
‘A rigorous system should be introduced to improve compliance with the police’s requirement to inform victims – perhaps something as straightforward as a box at the end of the victim impact statement form,’ he said.
The Ministry of Justice said it would consider the report.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
