Closed 63 events
Lifecycle stage Bill Progressing
494 days in stage

Police Pre-Charge Bail Reform

The Home Office is reviewing police pre-charge bail practices under the Bail Act 1976, as the remand population has grown significantly with increasingly risk-averse application of bail presumptions. The Ministry of Justice is investigating whether the legal framework is operating as intended and considering impacts of video link technology on remand rates, while rejecting proposals to broaden police charging powers without CPS involvement. Current focus is on independent review of bail application practices and HM Prison and Probation Service guidelines.


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Family
Signal
Year
Body
Role

2025

5 events

2023

26 events
17 Jan 2023 | Government response linked

Custodial remand should only be used for those who are not suitable for alternatives, such as conditional bail or electronic monitoring. Greater engagement is needed between the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary on the alternatives currently available to custodial remand. The Government should ensure that judges and magistrates are aware of the proven effectiveness of these alternatives in order to instil confidence and to increase their usage.

Custodial remand should only be used for those who are not suitable for alternatives, such as conditional bail or electronic monitoring. Greater engagement is needed between the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary on the alternatives currently available to custodial …

17 Jan 2023 | Government response linked

There should be more consistent provision of Bail Information Services in courts to give decision-makers greater confidence in the bail package being presented to them. We recommend that the outcomes of the current pilot relating to these services are published, and that the service should then be scaled up so that it is available in all magistrates’ courts if it is proven to help in putting together effective bail packages.

There should be more consistent provision of Bail Information Services in courts to give decision-makers greater confidence in the bail package being presented to them. We recommend that the outcomes of the current pilot relating to these services are published, …

17 Jan 2023 | Government response linked

The Ministry of Justice should conduct research into the potential effects on remand rates of using video links in prison and police stations to ensure that use of these technologies is not having a significant impact on the number of individuals being remanded to custody.

The Ministry of Justice should conduct research into the potential effects on remand rates of using video links in prison and police stations to ensure that use of these technologies is not having a significant impact on the number of …

17 Jan 2023 | Committee report linked

Magistrates are responsible for hearing the majority of cases that lead to remanding to custody, and we heard that, particularly during the pandemic, the focus of training was on new ways of working and the use of technology. The application of the remand principles and the latest available alternatives to remand should be a focus in magisterial training.

Magistrates are responsible for hearing the majority of cases that lead to remanding to custody, and we heard that, particularly during the pandemic, the focus of training was on new ways of working and the use of technology. The application …

17 Jan 2023 | Committee report linked

Magistrates are required to communicate their remand decisions to the parties in open court; however, we have heard that this is not always done in a way which is understandable to the parties involved. Pronouncement templates for magistrates should be reviewed to ensure they are as clear as possible for those being sentenced and their use should be monitored to ensure they are being used consistently

Magistrates are required to communicate their remand decisions to the parties in open court; however, we have heard that this is not always done in a way which is understandable to the parties involved. Pronouncement templates for magistrates should be …

2022

2 events

2021

13 events
14 Jan 2021 | Announcement Home Office linked

Reforming pre-charge bail

UIN: HCWS708 In February of last year, this Government launched a consultation seeking views on reforming pre-charge bail. A number of cases had highlighted that the existing system was not working for victims, law enforcement, or suspects. It is of …

14 Jan 2021 | Announcement Home Office linked

Reforming pre-charge bail

UIN: HLWS704 My rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department (Priti Patel) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement:In February of last year, this Government launched a consultation seeking views on reforming pre-charge bail. A …

2020

9 events
27 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

We recommend, however, that the Government investigate the reasons behind the relatively high level of remand into custody and explain the reasons behind that, particularly given the pressures on the custodial estate during the coronavirus outbreak.

We recommend, however, that the Government investigate the reasons behind the relatively high level of remand into custody and explain the reasons behind that, particularly given the pressures on the custodial estate during the coronavirus outbreak. Type: recommendation | Number: …

5 Feb 2020 | Announcement Home Office linked

Police Powers: Pre-charge Bail

UIN: HCWS94 This government is committed to ensuring the police have the powers they need to protect the public, and that our criminal justice system has at its heart the welfare and best interests of victims. That’s why on the …

5 Feb 2020 | Announcement Home Office linked

Police Powers: Pre-charge Bail

UIN: HLWS91 My rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department (Priti Patel) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement:This government is committed to ensuring the police have the powers they need to protect the public, …

2019

1 event

2018

1 event

2016

2 events

2015

3 events

2014

1 event