Justice Legislation
Laws relating to criminal justice, court procedures, legal services, law enforcement, and judicial administration.
The Recovery of Costs (Remand to Youth Detention Accommodation) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations, effective April 1st, 2025, amend the 2013 Recovery of Costs (Remand to Youth Detention Accommodation) Regulations to increase the daily cost reimbursement the Secretary of State receives for detaining children on remand in various youth detention facilities in England and Wales.
The amounts are raised for young offender institutions, secure training centres, and secure children's homes (including a specific amount for secure 16-19 Academies).
The Food Crime Officers (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2025
The Food Crime Officers (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2025, effective May 1, 2025, establish a framework for handling complaints and misconduct involving Food Standards Agency food crime officers in England and Wales.
The regulations adapt the Police Reform Act 2002, outlining procedures for investigations, reporting to the Secretary of State, and payment arrangements.
They detail the roles of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), the Food Standards Agency chief executive, and the Secretary of State, including responsibilities for investigations, referrals, and reporting.
The regulations also address issues like evidence preservation, timeliness of investigations, the role of an 'FSA friend,' and restrictions on disclosure of sensitive information, while incorporating mechanisms for review and appeal.
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (Application to Food Crime Officers) Regulations 2025
These regulations, effective May 1st, 2025, extend certain provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) and the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (CJPOA) to food crime officers in England and Wales.
Specifically, they grant food crime officers powers related to entry, search, seizure, and detention, subject to modifications outlined in the regulations.
The changes aim to enhance the investigation and prosecution of food-related crimes.
The Merchant Shipping (Light Dues) Regulations 2025 establish the system for levying light dues on vessels in UK waters.
These regulations replace the 1997 regulations, clarifying payment methods (periodic or per voyage) for different vessel types (tugs, fishing, pleasure vessels, and others).
They specify payment amounts based on tonnage or load line length, including minimum and maximum charges.
The regulations define key terms, detail the procedure for invoicing and payment, and outline exemptions for certain vessels, such as those chartered by the Government or used for sail training.
Previous regulations are revoked.
The Seafarers’ Wages (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective April 1st, 2025, amend the 2024 Regulations.
Key changes include updating the deadline for equivalence declarations from harbor authorities to the first day of the relevant year and increasing the national minimum wage equivalent rates for seafarers across various categories.
These amendments aim to improve seafarer pay and simplify administrative processes.
An existing impact assessment from the Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023 and 2024 Regulations was used; no significant additional impacts are anticipated.
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.
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.