Justice Legislation
Laws relating to criminal justice, court procedures, legal services, law enforcement, and judicial administration.
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
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
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.
The Health and Care Professions Council (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules Order of Council 2025
This Order approves amendments to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) rules.
The amendments increase various registration and scrutiny fees, reflecting updated operational costs, and allow the HCPC to conduct meetings and hearings using audio or video conferencing technology improving efficiency and access.
The fee increases affect registration, renewal, readmission, and restoration fees, as well as scrutiny fees for UK and international applicants.
The changes to procedures affect multiple sets of HCPC procedural rules, specifically those concerning the Investigating, Conduct and Competence, Health, and Registration Appeals Committees.
The HCPC consulted with relevant bodies and stakeholders before implementing these changes.
The Armed Forces (Discharge and Transfer to the Reserve Forces) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
The Armed Forces (Discharge and Transfer to the Reserve Forces) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective March 24, 2025, amend the 2009 regulations.
Key changes include removing the requirement for place of enlistment and officer conduct assessment from discharge certificates and replacing gendered language with gender-neutral terms throughout the 2009 regulations.
The amendments aim to improve efficiency and ensure inclusivity.
These regulations apply to England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, and British overseas territories (excluding Gibraltar).
The Courses Offered as an Alternative to Prosecution (Specified Fixed Penalty Offences) (Traffic) Regulations 2025
These regulations establish a system in England and Wales for offering approved courses as an alternative to prosecution for specified fixed penalty traffic offenses.
The regulations define eligible offenses, specify approving bodies (initially including police forces and UKROEd Limited, with police forces losing that power after two years), detail fee allocation percentages among policing bodies, course providers, and UKROEd, and prohibit offering courses to repeat offenders within three years of a prior offense.
The regulations come into effect on March 31, 2025.