*/
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.
The Bar Council faces both opportunities and challenges on our key areas this year
Girls Human Rights Festival 2025: a global gathering for change
Exclusive Q&A with Henry Dannell
Casey Randall of AlphaBiolabs discusses the benefits of Non-invasive Prenatal Paternity testing for the timely resolution of family disputes
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Have you considered being a barrister in the British Army? Here’s an insight into a career in Army Legal Services
Patrick Green KC talks about the landmark Post Office Group litigation and his driving principles for life and practice. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB
Sir Nicholas Mostyn, former High Court judge, on starting a hit podcast with fellow ‘Parkies’ after the shock of his diagnosis
‘Hard work and commitment can open doors. I believe that I am proof of that,’ says Senior Treasury Counsel Louise Oakley. She tells Anthony Inglese CB about her journey from Wolverhampton to the Old Bailey
What's it like being a legal trainee at the Crown Prosecution Service? Amy describes what drew her to the role, the skills required and a typical day in the life
Barbara Mills KC wants to raise the profile of the family Bar. She also wants to improve wellbeing and enhance equality, diversity and inclusion in the profession. She talks to Joshua Rozenberg KC (hon) about her plans for the year ahead
