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.
Debate Pack
MPs will debate the Crown Prosecution Service's approach to prosecuting disability hate crime in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 8 November 2016 at 9.30am. Peter Dowd will lead the debate. This House of Commons Library briefing provides some background information, statistics and press and parliamentary coverage.
Debate Pack
A Westminster Hall debate on the subject of the performance of the Disclosure and Barring Service has been scheduled for 1430hrs on Wednesday 26 October 2016. The member in charge of this debate is Helen Hayes MP. The proceedings of this debate may be watched via parliamentlive.tv
Research Briefing
This Briefing Paper has been prepared for the second reading debate of the Criminal Finances Bill on 25 October 2016. The Bill aims to improve the Government's ability to target the revenue generated by organised crime.
Research Briefing
The Sexual Offences (Pardons Etc.) Bill 2016-17 is a Private Member’s Bill. It would pardon anyone convicted of certain historic gay sex offences. It would also extend the existing "disregard scheme" under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.
Research Briefing
This Commons Library briefing paper looks at the situation in a range of policy areas and considers what impact Brexit might have. This will depend, among other things, on the Brexit negotiations, whether the UK stays in the European Economic Area and how the Government fills any policy gaps left by withdrawal.
Research Briefing
This Commons Library briefing discusses the debate around raising the age of criminal responsibility - the age below which a child is deemed not to have the capacity to commit a crime.
Debate Pack
A debate on reforming the law on homicide in England and Wales will be held in Westminster Hall on 30 June 2016 at 1330hrs. The member in charge of the debate is Alex Chalk.
Research Briefing
On 28 January 2016 the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Michael Gove, told the House of Commons that his department would no longer pursue the introduction of the ‘dual contracting’ scheme for the provision of criminal litigation services in England and Wales. He also announced the suspension of a second reduction in solicitors’ fees. The change in policy ended the long-running dispute between the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the legal profession over changes to criminal legal aid.
Research Briefing
The Policing and Crime Bill is due to have its report stage and Legislative Grand Committee on 26 April 2016. This Briefing Paper provides an overview of the debate so far.
Debate Pack
A debate on a motion relating to gangs and serious youth violence has been scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee following a successful bid by Mr Chuka Umunna for Thursday 3 March 2016.
Total results (page 8 of 13)