Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Accepted
Paragraph: 21
Another lesson is that the Ministry of Justice should have greater oversight over the creation...
Recommendation
Another lesson is that the Ministry of Justice should have greater oversight over the creation of criminal offences in response to public health emergencies, including a pandemic. As government guidance states, the Ministry of Justice should be consulted on the creation of new criminal offences to ensure they are proportionate and necessary and to consider their impact on the wider justice system. This is as important in a pandemic as in ordinary times, notwithstanding the need to move at pace.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government accepted the recommendation, stating it will update its guidance for departments to ensure the Ministry of Justice is consulted on new or amended criminal offences and penalties, including outlining standard timeframes and procedures for urgent situations. Updated guidance will be published in due course.
Paragraph Reference:
21
Government Response
The government responded to this report on 8 September 2022. No passage in that response could be matched to this conclusion. Read the response document ↗