Martin Partington: Spotlight on the Justice System

The original code of practice for victims, though innovative at the time (2006), is now regarded as a bit out of date. The Government is currently working on a revised version. This will set out more clearly what different groups of victims should be entitled to expect. The new Code will contain sections on

• Entitlements for victim
• Duties for criminal justice agencies
• Entitlements to children and young people under 18
• Duties for criminal justice agencies for children and young people under 18, and
• Businesses

The new Code will also for the first time include restorative justice in the issues to be considered in relation to the victims of crime.

It will also propose changes to the ways in which complaints can be made when things are alleged to have gone wrong.

For more detail on the work so far, see https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-the-code-of-practice-for-victims-of-crime