Legal News Round-Up – March 2025
Here’s some criminal law articles from around the web from March 2025.
In March we saw some very interesting criminal law news break over the month. With changes in legislation, implementation of new legislation and increasing pressures on the sector, here’s our round-up of some of the news items in March making the headlines.
Sentencing Council Suspends Controversial Guidelines
The Sentencing Council has suspended its plans to introduce new guidelines that would have taken into account factors such as age, sex, and ethnicity when determining sentences. These proposals were widely criticised by legal professionals and politicians who argued they risked undermining the principle of equality before the law.
Critics raised concerns that the changes could lead to a perception of a “two-tier” justice system, where individuals could receive more lenient or harsher punishments based on their personal characteristics.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood responded by stating that all offenders should be treated the same regardless of background, and she announced plans to bring forward legislation to ensure consistency in sentencing practice.
To read more about this, please click here.
Government Opposes ‘Differential Treatment’ in Sentencing
The Lord Chancellor wrote to the Sentencing Council on 20 March 2025, formally objecting to the draft sentencing guidelines that proposed allowing judges to consider race or ethnicity as mitigating factors.
The letter made it clear that the government does not support any form of ‘differential treatment’ in sentencing, and that such policies could seriously damage public confidence in the justice system.
It was emphasised that changes to core legal principles should be determined by Parliament, not introduced via independent guidelines.
The Lord Chancellor also reaffirmed the government’s stance on the importance of a criminal justice system that treats all individuals fairly and equally, regardless of their background or identity.
To read more about this, please click here.
Call for Evidence on Crime and Policing Bill
The House of Commons Public Bill Committee launched a formal call for evidence on 14 March 2025, inviting legal experts, community groups, and the public to provide feedback on the wide-ranging Crime and Policing Bill.
Of particular interest are the proposed ‘respect orders’, which would allow courts to impose behavioural conditions on individuals found to be engaging in repeated anti-social conduct.
The bill also contains substantial measures to address knife crime, including proactive enforcement tools for police forces.
The consultation period allows stakeholders to influence how these laws are shaped before they are passed, helping to ensure that any new powers introduced are effective, proportionate, and respectful of civil liberties.
To read more about this, please click here.
Criminal Defence Lawyers Challenge Legal Aid Procurement Timetable
Criminal defence lawyers across England and Wales have voiced strong objections to the Legal Aid Agency’s procurement timetable for new contracts, calling it rushed, unrealistic, and lacking in transparency.
Many legal professionals believe the current timeframe does not allow firms sufficient opportunity to properly assess the viability of tendering under the proposed terms.
There are also widespread concerns about how the funding structure will affect sustainability and fairness in the criminal defence sector.
Several practitioner groups are now urging the government to delay the procurement process and re-engage with the profession to ensure that the new arrangements support access to justice and the long-term viability of legal aid providers.
To read more about this, please click here.
Crime and Policing Bill Introduced to Address Knife Crime
A new Crime and Policing Bill was introduced to Parliament in March 2025, with a specific focus on tackling rising knife crime across the UK.
Among its provisions, the bill proposes creating a new offence for individuals found in possession of knives or other offensive weapons with the intent to cause harm. It also seeks to raise maximum penalties for those involved in the manufacture or sale of prohibited weapons.
Crucially, it grants expanded powers to the police to search and seize weapons from properties, even in cases where no immediate threat is apparent.
These reforms form part of the government’s broader strategy to halve knife crime within the next decade and improve public safety in urban areas.
To read more about this, please click here.
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