The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (Commencement No. 11) Regulations 2026

The explanatory note states that the regulations establish a new framework for reviewing deaths resulting from domestic abuse within the meaning of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

The document indicates the reviews are intended to identify lessons to be learned from a death, with findings shared with the Secretary of State and the Domestic Abuse Commissioner.

Proponents may argue the measure ensures consistency by requiring specified bodies, including police forces, local authorities, and NHS bodies, to fulfill a statutory duty to participate in these reviews.

The legislation preserves existing arrangements for Northern Ireland, ensuring domestic homicide reviews continue under section 9 of the 2004 Act in that jurisdiction.

Legal scholars might note that while the regulations apply to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the new death review framework only displaces previous homicide review mechanisms in England and Wales, creating different statutory processes across jurisdictions.

Local authorities and NHS bodies may express concern regarding the administrative and financial resources required to fulfill the new statutory duty to establish or participate in these reviews.

The Secretary of State retains the power to amend the list of bodies required to participate, which some observers might argue creates uncertainty for public sector agencies regarding future compliance obligations.