Research Briefing
Offenders who plead guilty in court will usually receive a reduced sentence compared to that they would have received had they been convicted following a not guilty plea. The maximum discount is currently one third. This note describes the rationale for reduced sentences for those who plead guilty.
Research Briefing
The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and how it will operate, is one of the three main areas of discussion in the first phase of Brexit negotiations . This paper sets out the different UK and EU negotiating positions as well as how they both pledge to honour the Good Friday Agreement, and what this pledge commits both sides to. It looks at how the Northern Irish devolved government is inputting into the talks, and how the confidence and supply deal between the Conservative party and the DUP might impact on the negotiations. This paper explores how people will move between the two countries, and how the Common Travel Area might be maintained. It also looks at the complexities of avoiding a 'hard border', the stated position of both the EU and the UK, while still adhering to EU rules on moving goods between itself and countries outside the Single Market and Customs Union.
Research Briefing
Key Issues 2017 is a series of short briefings on the topics that will take centre stage in UK and international politics in the new Parliament. Written by impartial Commons Library specialists, these articles are designed to help the reader get up to speed quickly on issues such as; Brexit, the housing crisis, the future of devolution and much more.
Research Briefing
Counter-extremism policy has evolved over the past few years with an increasing focus on addressing non-violent extremism. In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in Westminster, Manchester, London Bridge and Finsbury Park, the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy, which includes counter-extremism, has come to the fore of the agenda. On 21 June 2017, the Queen’s Speech announced the establishment of a new Commission for Countering Extremism, as well as a review of counter-terrorism powers and a commitment to tackling online extremist content. Counter-extremism will undoubtedly be a crucial issue for the new Parliament, which will face difficult questions about how to tackle this complex problem.
Research Briefing
The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 can used to deal with a wide variety of distressing behaviour. This Briefing Note looks in detail at how it works in England and Wales, and summarises the different provisions which apply in Scotland. It also looks at the equivalent legislation in Northern Ireland.
Research Briefing
What are EU agencies and what do they do? Will the UK be able to participate in their activities after Brexit? And what will happen to the two that are based in the UK? This paper looks at the roles and functions of EU agencies, the issues surrounding the two UK-based agencies, and whether there are options for continued UK participation after Brexit.
Research Briefing
This note considers the European Arrest Warrant, including an overview of the benefits it brings and the criticisms it gives rise to. Parliament has made a number of recent changes to the regime aimed at addressing criticism, and subsequently voted in favour of the UK remaining within the European Arrest Warrant framework.
Research Briefing
What are EU directives and what will happen to them when the UK leaves the EU? This paper looks at EU directives in force and how they are implemented in the UK. This will give some idea of the task ahead for UK legislators.
Research Briefing
The Prisons and Courts Bill 2016-17 has its second reading on 20 March 2017. This Briefing Paper provides relevant information and analysis, including commentary from other organisations.
Research Briefing
This Commons Library research briefing looks at the implications of Brexit in the field of policing and criminal justice cooperation
Research Briefing
‘Helen’s Law’ refers to a proposal that the law should be changed to prohibit the release on parole of offenders who were convicted of murder and have failed to reveal the location of the body of their victim. A petition to change the law has received 390,000 signatures. This Briefing Paper looks the proposal and the Government's response.
Debate Pack
A general debate on exiting the EU and security, law enforcement and criminal justice has been scheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday 18 January 2017.
Research Briefing
The Policing and Crime Bill will return to the Commons for consideration of Lords Amendments on 10 January 2017. This paper looks at the main amendments, and briefly summarises the debate on them.
Research Briefing
This reading list collates commentary on the implications of Brexit for policing and criminal justice cooperation and national security.
Debate Pack
On Monday 14 November 2016, a Westminster Hall debate is being held in response to an e-Petition on the status of police dogs and horses. The e-Petition followed the stabbing of a police dog named Finn who was chasing a suspect.
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