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News

News stories older than October 2020 can be viewed on the National Archive.

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173 news articles

Courts backlog: Justice delayed is justice denied

Published:
In her 2020/21 Annual Report, Dame Vera Baird reflects on the Crown Court backlog of cases and its impact on victims.

Victims Law: Victims must be participants in the justice system – not onlookers

Published:
In her 2020/21 Annual Report, Dame Vera Baird sets our her vision for reconceptualising the status of victims in the forthcoming Victims Bill.

Radical action needed to tackle crime epidemic against women and girls – HMICFRS report

Published:
Responding to the report's findings, Dame Vera Baird praises the "ambition" and calls for VAWG to be a strategic policing issue and subject to the local duty in PCSC Bill.

Rape review: Ministers’ apologies are “welcome,” but action plan has “serious limitations”

Published:
"We have to seize this moment if we are to escape this crisis on our justice system," says Victims' Commissioner, as she warns the government has a "mountain to climb" to restore victim confidence in the justice system.

Watch VC webinar: Next steps for special measures

Published:
The Victims’ Commissioner and her team held a live discussion and Q&A of her new review of special measures on 26 May.

Victims encouraged to apply for ‘same roof’ rule compensation by 13 June deadline

Published:
Ruling out an extension to the deadline, Minister Malthouse reassures victims that late applications will still be considered on a “case-by-case basis”.

Victims’ Commissioner launches new Victims’ Survey

Published:
Dame Vera Baird calls for victims to share their views of the criminal justice system.

Police watchdogs find modern slavery survivors are criminalised rather than recognised as victims

Published:
The Victims' Commissioner and Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner issue a joint statement: "Unless victims receive the care they require at first point of contact with the criminal justice system, we’ve got no hope of victims supporting a case through court."

Victims’ Commissioner calls for legal aid for inquests

Published:
Grant bereaved families automatic non means-tested funding for legal representation following state related deaths, says Victims' Commissioner.

Vulnerable and intimidated witnesses overlooked for legal protections while giving evidence

Published:
Vulnerable and intimidated witnesses still put at risk of coming face-to-face with perpetrators and not receiving the support they need to prevent courtroom intimidation.