Justice Legislation
Laws relating to criminal justice, court procedures, legal services, law enforcement, and judicial administration.
The Electronic Communications (Networks and Services) (Designated Vendor Directions) (Penalties) Order 2025
- Department: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
- Made under: Communications Act 2003
The order clarified penalty calculations for non-compliance with designated vendor directions and amended the 2003 Order to reflect changes from the 2021 Act.
The Electronic Communications (Networks and Services) (Designated Vendor Directions) (Penalties) Order 2025 clarifies the calculation of penalties for non-compliance with designated vendor directions under the Communications Act 2003.
It specifies the relevant business activities to be included in turnover calculations for penalty purposes and amends the Electronic Communications (Networks and Services) (Penalties) (Rules for Calculation of Turnover) Order 2003 to replace references to "notified provider" with "person." This ensures consistency with the Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 and provides a clearer framework for penalty enforcement.
The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (Commencement No. 5) Regulations 2025
- Department: Ministry of Justice
- Made under: Victims and Prisoners Act 2024
Specific provisions of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 were brought into force on various dates in 2024 and 2025.
The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (Commencement No. 5) Regulations 2025 bring into force several provisions of the 2024 Act.
These include amendments to the power to alter release on license criteria for specific prisoners, changes to offences relevant to public protection decisions, and the introduction of mandatory guidance for defined victim support roles.
The regulations stipulate different commencement dates for these provisions, ranging from the day after their making to May and June 2025.
The regulations apply to England and Wales, and the Explanatory Note confirms no significant impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.
The Town and Country Planning (Fees and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025
The regulations amended primary legislation to reflect the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, updated fees for planning applications, and established new procedures for Crown land development in England.
The Town and Country Planning (Fees and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025 amend existing legislation to reflect changes introduced by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.
The regulations update fees for certain planning applications and adjust several Acts to incorporate new provisions for planning permission on Crown land in England.
These new provisions establish two application routes: one for urgent, nationally important developments and another for nationally important developments without urgency.
The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2025
- Department: Scotland Office
- Made under: Scotland Act 1998
This legislation established duties for UK law-enforcement bodies regarding information disclosure and review related to the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020, amended related legislation, and issued guidance for implementation.
This order implements the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 across the UK. It mandates information sharing and review processes by UK law enforcement bodies regarding Level 2 disclosures, mirroring existing duties of Scottish law enforcement.
It also amends relevant acts to ensure consistency and defines key terms like "UK law-enforcement body." The order addresses payment for services rendered under its provisions and outlines guidance issuance by the Scottish Ministers.
The Civil Legal Aid (Remuneration) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
- Department: Ministry of Justice
- Made under: Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012
The regulations amended the Civil Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013 by increasing fees for welfare benefit cases, removing some fee schedules, and safeguarding pre-May 1, 2025, applications.
The Civil Legal Aid (Remuneration) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective May 1, 2025, amend the 2013 Civil Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations.
The amendments increase standard fees for legal representation in welfare benefit cases and streamline the fee schedule by removing certain tables.
A saving provision ensures that these changes do not apply retroactively to applications made before May 1, 2025.
The Gangmasters (Licensing Conditions) (Amendment) (Fees) Rules 2025
- Department: Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority
- Made under: Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004
The 2025 rules amended the Gangmasters (Licensing Conditions) Rules 2009, increasing fees for gangmaster licenses and inspections.
The Gangmasters (Licensing Conditions) (Amendment) (Fees) Rules 2025, effective April 28th, 2025, revise fees for gangmaster licences in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
These rules amend the Gangmasters (Licensing Conditions) Rules 2009, increasing application, renewal, and inspection fees across several bands depending on annual turnover.
Consultation with the relevant Northern Ireland department occurred, and transitional provisions address applications and renewals already in progress.
The Drivers’ Hours and Tachographs (Amendment and Modification) Regulations 2025
- Department: Department for Transport
- Made under: European Union (Future Relationship) Act 2020
The 2025 Drivers’ Hours and Tachographs Regulations amended and modified EU regulations on drivers' hours and tachographs to align with post-Brexit trade agreements, clarified definitions of passenger services, and extended record-keeping periods.
These Regulations, effective April 21st, 2025, amend and modify EU regulations on drivers' hours and tachographs to reflect the UK's post-Brexit relationship with the EU, as per the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Key changes include adjusting the scope of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 and amending its definition of "special regular passenger services." Furthermore, the regulations modify Regulation (EU) No 165/2014, extending the record-keeping period to 56 days and making consequential amendments to Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/403.
The Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Claims and Payments) (Modification) Regulations 2025
- Department: Department for Work and Pensions
- Made under: Social Security Administration Act 1992
The 2025 regulations modified the 2013 regulations on Universal Credit, PIP, JSA, and ESA claims and payments to prioritize child maintenance deductions, effective from April 30, 2025, to April 30, 2026.
These regulations amend the 2013 regulations governing Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance, and Employment and Support Allowance claims and payments.
The key change prioritizes deductions for child maintenance over other deductions.
The regulations apply to England, Wales, and Scotland and are in effect from April 30, 2025, to April 30, 2026.