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What is the Justice Committee ?

justice committee uk parliament

The Justice Committee is a cross-party group of MPs appointed by the House of Commons to examine the policies and spending of the Ministry of Justice and associated public bodies.

This includes the courts, legal aid, prisons, probation and the rule of law. It also advises on sentencing guidelines. The Justice Committee is chaired by Andy Slaughter.

Role of the Justice Committee

Sir Bob Neill MP, former Chair of the Justice Committee, explained the role of the Justice Committee and how to get involved in the Committee’s work

The Justice Committee was appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Ministry of Justice and associated public bodies, (to include the work of staff provided for the administrative work of courts and tribunals, but excluding consideration of individual cases and appointments, and excluding the work of the Scotland and Wales Offices and of the Advocate General for Scotland); and administration and expenditure of the Attorney General’s Office, the Treasury Solicitor’s Department, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office (but excluding individual cases and appointments and advice given within government by Law Officers).

The Justice Committee is one of the 19 Select Committees related to Government Departments, established by the House of Commons under Standing Order No. 152.

Role of the Justice Committee – Parliament Website

Subjects of Inquiry

The Justice Committee chooses its own subjects of inquiry. 

Depending on the subject, external deadlines, and the amount of oral evidence the Committee decides to take, an inquiry may last for several months and give rise to a report to the House; other inquiries may simply consist of a single day’s oral evidence which the Committee may publish without making a report.

When the Committee has chosen an inquiry it normally issues a press notice outlining the main themes of inquiry and inviting interested parties to submit written evidence. It may also identify possible witnesses and issue specific invitations to them to submit written evidence.

Role of the Justice Committee – Parliament Website

Inquiries

Inquiries allow committees to consider oral and written evidence on a particular topic. They usually result in the publication of a report.

All inquires of the Justice Committee past and present are published and can be searched for on the Parliament website.

Contact the Justice Commitee

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: (General Enquiries) 020 7219 7005 (Media Enquiries) 07842 601500
  • Address: House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA
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The Ministry of Injustice is not the Ministry of Justice nor is it affiliated in any way with the justice system, legal profession, police or any other law enforcement agencies.

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[post_title] was last updated on the 2nd June 2026

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