Ministry of Justice UK

Our prisons are nearly full. If we don’t do anything now, we risk a total breakdown of law and order. Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood and Interim Permanent Secretary Amy Rees spoke at 10 Downing Street to outline government action on the prison capacity crisis. 👇 Find out more: https://bit.ly/44Effqn

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the justice system. Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood has published the AI Action Plan, featuring technology that analyses prisoner data and violent history to assess risk levels on prison wings, so staff can intervene before violence erupts. The Plan also includes technology that scans messages from seized mobile phones, detecting threats, escape plans and contraband smuggling. Over 8.6 million messages from 33,000 confiscated devices have already been analysed, uncovering intelligence that would usually take months manually. But this is just the beginning. AI will continue to reshape how we deliver justice, reduce admin tasks, and keep the public safe. Read more about the AI Action Plan: https://lnkd.in/dN4izNpe

The 2025 Arbitration Act is now in force, strengthening the UK’s global lead in dispute resolution. The Act introduces early dismissal of weak claims, clearer rules on arbitrator impartiality, streamlined court processes and stronger protections for arbitrators. At #LIDW2025, Minister Sarah Sackman KC MP and legal leaders explored the UK’s tech-driven approach. The new Act builds on that momentum. 🎥 Watch the video for expert insights on the future of UK legal services.

Lord Ponsonby, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, visited The Hague this week to meet with representatives from the International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the Hague Conference on Private International Law. The visit marked the UK’s continued commitment to global legal collaboration and celebrated the entry into force of the 2019 Hague Judgments Convention on 1 July 2025. The Convention makes it easier to recognise and enforce civil and commercial court judgments across borders. This supports smoother dispute resolution and gives individuals and businesses greater legal certainty.

Nominations are now open for the 2025–26 Honorary King’s Counsel Awards.    These awards recognise exceptional legal professionals who have made a significant contribution to the law of England and Wales or to the legal profession — often through leadership, legal development or academic work.    They provide an important opportunity to acknowledge individuals who have shaped the profession from across its many branches, with impact made outside the courtroom and often behind the scenes.    I strongly encourage nominations that reflect the diversity and breadth of today’s legal sector.    To find out more about how to nominate, visit:  👉 https://lnkd.in/dvPBx3JX

Prison violence is too high. For the first time, specially trained prison officers will be equipped with tasers to tackle the most dangerous situations our staff face. These specialist teams will respond to high-risk scenarios like hostage situations and riots where officers' lives are genuinely at risk. These aren't tools for everyday incidents, but essential protection for highly skilled officers when they confront extreme violence. Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood visited the National Tactical Response Group training facility to witness the exceptional standards these officers maintain. Read more to see how we're making prisons safer for everyone: https://lnkd.in/ekDciEBX

From offender to helping make packs used in surgery: this is one prisoner’s story. Manufacturing company Pennine Healthcare employs prisoners through Release on Temporary Licence in their work creating medical devices for use in hospital wards and operating theatres. This prisoner’s work means NHS staff get the packs they need and reduces his chance of reoffending on release.

Last week, Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood and Minister Sarah Sackman KC MP welcomed legal sector leaders to Downing Street. They celebrated the work being done to drive innovation and growth across the UK and acknowledged the legal sector as a key pillar of the justice system.

You may have heard of magistrates before, but how much do you really know about what they do? Did you know they are unpaid volunteers who help deliver justice and make our streets safer, handling 95% of criminal cases in England and Wales? Watch Swati, a magistrate who balances service alongside a full-time career, as she provides first-hand insight into this essential role. If you’re interested in giving back to your community and contributing to a fair and open justice system, consider registering your interest to become a magistrate at: https://bit.ly/3EidFvp

📢 Court delays are at record highs, and bold proposals have now been published to help address them. Part 1 of the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, led by Sir Brian Leveson, outlines reforms to reduce the backlog and improve outcomes for victims. The review recommends: ✅ Retaining more appropriate cases in the magistrates’ courts ✅ Creating a new Bench Division in the Crown Court for mid-level offences ✅ Introducing judge-only trials for serious and complex cases The Government is reviewing all recommendations and will respond ahead of legislation this Autumn, with the work already backed by record-level investment in the courts.