Justice Legislation

Laws relating to criminal justice, court procedures, legal services, law enforcement, and judicial administration.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (CMA Consumer Enforcement Rules) Regulations 2025

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (CMA Consumer Enforcement Rules) Regulations 2025, effective April 6th, 2025, approve the Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) rules for enforcing consumer protection laws.

These rules cover procedural matters, including investigations, representations, document inspection, procedural complaints, settlements, and notification of decisions.

The regulations apply to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and the CMA developed these rules following consultations.

The Registration and Inspection of Education, Children's Services and Skills (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

These regulations, effective April 1st, 2025, amend the Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) (Children's Homes etc.) Regulations 2015.

Key changes include lowering thresholds for higher annual fees for residential special schools and children's homes and revising various registration and variation fees across different settings.

The changes are supported by existing legislation and aim to balance resource allocation with fair charges.

The M23 Motorway (Junction 7) (50 Miles Per Hour Speed Limit) Regulations 2025

Published: Fri 7th Mar 25

These regulations establish a permanent 50 mph speed limit on the northbound off-slip road at junction 7 of the M23 motorway in England and Wales, starting March 31, 2025.

The regulations cite the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as their legal basis and state that representative organizations were consulted.

An exemption exists if another speed restriction is already in place.

The regulations' enforcement is an offense under section 17(4) of the 1984 Act, and a full impact assessment was deemed unnecessary due to the projected absence of significant impacts.

The Judicial Pensions (European Court of Human Rights) (Amendment) Order 2025

This Order amends the Judicial Pensions (European Court of Human Rights) Order 1998 to update pension provisions for judges of the European Court of Human Rights.

The amendments clarify the interaction between UK pension schemes and the Council of Europe scheme, ensuring that ECHR judges retain pension benefits under the UK's Judicial Pensions Regulations 2022, even if they opt into the Council of Europe's scheme.

It also defines 'Pensionable Earnings' for ECHR judges and ensures their UK judicial office is treated as a qualifying office under the 2022 Regulations.

The Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Estimates and Accounts) Order 2025 designates numerous central government bodies as 'designated bodies' for the financial year ending 31 March 2026.

This designation is for their inclusion in the supply estimates and resource accounts of their respective government departments.

The order covers various government departments and agencies across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

It is based on powers granted by the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 and includes consultations with devolved administrations.

The Immigration (Biometric Registration) (Civil Penalty Code of Practice) Order 2025

Published: Thu 6th Mar 25

The Immigration (Biometric Registration) (Civil Penalty Code of Practice) Order 2025 establishes a revised code of practice for sanctions related to non-compliance with biometric registration regulations, effective March 27, 2025.

The revision facilitates a transition from physical to digital immigration documents and was preceded by public consultation.

The order applies across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (Commencement No. 7 and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2025

These regulations, effective March 5th, 2025, extend a pilot program for the Domestic Abuse Act 2021's Part 3 (domestic abuse protection orders and notices) to the non-metropolitan county of Cleveland in England and Wales.

The pilot runs until November 26th, 2025, with provisions ensuring ongoing legal effect for cases initiated before the end of specified period.

The regulations explicitly define terms like ‘domestic abuse protection notice’ (DAPN) and ‘domestic abuse protection order’ (DAPO), clarifying their application within the program's framework.

The Offshore Installations (Safety Zones) Order 2025

The Offshore Installations (Safety Zones) Order 2025 establishes 500-meter safety zones around five offshore installations in UK waters.

Two installations were already in place when the Order was made and two more will be in place from March or April 2025.

The order is based on the Petroleum Act 1987 and proposals from the Health and Safety Executive, aiming to enhance maritime safety by preventing vessels from entering or remaining in these zones without consent or in accordance with regulations.