Ministry of Justice Legislation
74 statutory instruments made by the Ministry of Justice, newest first. Each one is explained section by section in plain English.
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Commencement No. 5) Regulations 2025
- Department: Ministry of Justice
- Made under: Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023
Sections 194 and 195 of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, regarding SLAPPs, were brought into force.
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Commencement No. 5) Regulations 2025 bring into effect sections 194 and 195 of the Act on June 18, 2025.
These sections address strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPPs) by requiring the Lord Chancellor to create Civil Procedure Rules enabling courts to dismiss SLAPP claims before trial and to make specific cost orders.
The regulations aim to deter SLAPPs, protecting free speech and streamlining legal processes.
The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (Alteration of Coroner Areas) Order 2025
- Department: Ministry of Justice
- Made under: Coroners and Justice Act 2009
The Order established a new combined coroner area for Kent and Medway by merging four previously distinct areas.
The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (Alteration of Coroner Areas) Order 2025, effective July 1, 2025, merges four existing coroner areas in Kent and Medway—Central and South East Kent, Mid Kent and Medway, North East Kent, and North West Kent—into a single "Kent and Medway" area.
The order cites the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 as its legal basis and clarifies the definitions of "coroner area" and "new coroner area." No significant impact on the private, voluntary, or public sectors is anticipated.
The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (Commencement No. 6) Regulations 2025
- Department: Ministry of Justice
- Made under: Victims and Prisoners Act 2024
Section 17 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 was brought into force in two phases, starting on 1st June 2025 for the purpose of making regulations and on 1st October 2025 for all other purposes.
The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (Commencement No. 6) Regulations 2025 bring into force section 17 of the 2024 Act.
This section invalidates any agreement preventing victims from disclosing crime-related information to specified bodies like law enforcement and victim support services.
The regulations establish a two-stage commencement: June 1st, 2025 for the purpose of making further regulations, and October 1st, 2025 for all other purposes.
The regulations also note prior commencement of other sections of the 2024 Act.
The Whiplash Injury (Amendment) Regulations 2025
- Department: Ministry of Justice
- Made under: Civil Liability Act 2018
The regulations amended the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021, increasing the compensation amounts for whiplash injuries based on injury duration, effective May 31st, 2025.
The Whiplash Injury (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective May 31st, 2025, amend the 2021 regulations governing compensation for whiplash injuries from road traffic accidents in England and Wales.
The amendments introduce two new tables specifying increased damage amounts based on injury duration.
Table 1 applies to cases arising before May 31st, 2025, and Table 2 applies to those arising on or after that date.
The changes reflect adjustments to damage amounts, likely linked to inflation, and were approved by Parliament.
The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Legal Aid: Domestic Abuse) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2025
- Department: Ministry of Justice
- Made under: Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012
This document amended the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 and related secondary legislation to update and expand access to legal aid in relation to cases involving domestic abuse.
This Order modifies the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 to expand legal aid access for domestic abuse cases.
It broadens the definition of 'domestic abuse,' replaces outdated terms like 'domestic violence' with the modern terminology, and extends coverage to encompass numerous procedures connected to domestic abuse protection orders.
Furthermore, the Order adjusts related civil and criminal legal aid regulations to ensure consistency and effectiveness in providing aid.
The Tribunal Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2025
- Department: Ministry of Justice
- Made under: Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
The Tribunal Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2025 amended several tribunal procedure rules to clarify the power to set aside decisions and mandated written notification of such actions, resulting in improved consistency and procedural fairness within the UK tribunal system.
The Tribunal Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2025, effective May 30th, 2025, amend several sets of tribunal procedure rules.
Key changes include clarifying that tribunals can set aside decisions on their own initiative or applications by parties, and mandating written notification to all parties when a decision is set aside. Additionally, a specific amendment restores community patient rights regarding hearings in health-related cases.
These amendments improve procedural fairness and address issues identified in past legislation and case law.
The Online Procedure Rules (Specified Proceedings) Regulations 2025
- Department: Ministry of Justice
- Made under: Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022
The 2025 regulations established online procedure rules for specified civil and family proceedings relating to property and financial remedies in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
The Online Procedure Rules (Specified Proceedings) Regulations 2025, enacted under the Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022, define specific civil and family proceedings in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland eligible for online procedures.
These include property-related cases in various courts and tribunals, and financial remedy proceedings in English and Welsh family courts.
The regulations were approved by both Houses of Parliament and signed by the Lord Chancellor, Lady Chief Justice, and Senior President of Tribunals.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (Commencement No. 9 and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2025
- Department: Ministry of Justice
- Made under: Domestic Abuse Act 2021
Part 3 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 was commenced on a trial basis in selected areas of England and Wales, and inconsistencies in previous commencement regulations were corrected.
These regulations, effective April 28th, 2025, initiate a pilot program in six specified areas of North Wales for a limited period, implementing Part 3 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
This includes rolling out new domestic abuse protection notices and orders, aiming to bolster protection for victims.
The program also rectifies inconsistencies in prior commencement regulations.
The initiative's impact will be carefully assessed for informing further national implementation.