Justice Legislation

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

The Newcastle upon Tyne (Electoral Changes) Order 2025

Published: Mon 12th May 25

This Order abolished existing electoral wards in Newcastle upon Tyne and Woolsington, establishing 26 new city wards and four new Woolsington parish wards, defining their boundaries, and specifying election timelines and councillor retirement schedules.


The Newcastle upon Tyne (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 implements recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, restructuring the city's electoral wards.

Existing wards are abolished, and 26 new ones are created, each electing three councillors.

The order sets out the phased implementation of these changes, including the timeline for elections and the retirement of existing councillors.

Consequential changes are also made to the parish wards of Woolsington.

The order aims to improve electoral representation in line with the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.

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The Sunderland (Electoral Changes) Order 2025

Published: Mon 12th May 25

The 2025 Order established 25 new electoral wards in Sunderland, scheduled elections, and altered Hetton parish ward boundaries.


The Sunderland (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 modifies Sunderland's electoral arrangements, abolishing existing wards and introducing 25 new ones based on Local Government Boundary Commission for England recommendations.

It sets forth a schedule for council elections, including staggered retirements of councillors, and outlines procedures for resolving any vote ties.

The order also alters parish wards in Hetton, aligning them with the city's changes.

These adjustments aim for improved representation and electoral efficiency.

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The Kirklees (Electoral Changes) Order 2025

Published: Mon 12th May 25

The order established 23 new electoral wards for the borough of Kirklees, abolished existing wards, and set election schedules for 2026 and beyond.


The Kirklees (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 implements recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, restructuring the borough's electoral wards.

The order abolishes existing wards, establishes 23 new ones detailed in the Schedule, specifies a three-councillor representation for each ward, and outlines a schedule for elections in 2026 and subsequent years, ensuring a phased transition to a system of electing councillors by thirds.

The effective date varies depending on the purpose, with some aspects coming into force immediately and others taking effect in October 2025 and 2026.

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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.

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The Registration of Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Registration Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The 2025 regulations amended the 2015 marriage registration and 2005 civil partnership registration regulations to include specific information on detained person's sentences in marriage and civil partnership notices.


These regulations, effective May 27, 2025, amend the Registration of Marriages Regulations 2015 and the Civil Partnership (Registration Provisions) Regulations 2005.

The changes mandate new forms for marriage and civil partnership registrations, incorporating requirements from the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024.

These additions require the responsible authority statement to specify whether a detained individual is serving a whole life sentence and if subject to a whole life order.

The changes apply to England and Wales, and updated Welsh language forms are also included.

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The Licensing Act 2003 (Victory in Europe Day Licensing Hours) Order 2025

The Licensing Act 2003 (Victory in Europe Day Licensing Hours) Order 2025 extended licensing hours for on-premises alcohol sales and specified activities in England and Wales for VE Day 2025.


This Order, made under the Licensing Act 2003, extends licensing hours for on-premises alcohol sales and related activities in England and Wales from 11 pm on May 8th, 2025, to 1 am on May 9th, 2025, to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

The extension applies only to premises already open during the specified times and excludes off-premises alcohol sales and regulated entertainment, unless served concurrently with on-premises alcohol sales.

Parliament approved a draft of this Order.

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The Police (Conduct, Performance and Complaints and Misconduct) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Wed 7th May 25

These regulations amended the Police Regulations 2003, Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020, Police (Performance) Regulations 2020, Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020, and Police Appeals Tribunals Rules 2020, primarily to streamline procedures, improve communication methods, and clarify definitions related to police conduct, performance, and complaints.


The Police (Conduct, Performance and Complaints and Misconduct) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend existing UK police regulations.

Key changes include updating probationary service rules for special constables, clarifying gross misconduct definitions, modifying notification and document provision procedures to allow for electronic communication, and streamlining performance review processes.

The amendments also incorporate the Police (Vetting) Regulations 2025 and introduce transitional provisions to manage the transition to the new regulations.

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The Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (No. 2) Order 2025

Published: Wed 7th May 25

The Order appointed two new His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills.


The Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (No. 2) Order 2025, effective May 7, 2025, appoints Jacqueline Anne Line and Nicola Mary Lownds as His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills.

This order is made under the authority of the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

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