UK Government Rolls Out Major Justice Reforms in UK 2025

UK Government Launches Legal Reforms to Strengthen Justice System

Prime Highlight

The UK government has introduced reforms to strengthen the justice system and expand the global influence of English law.
Intensive Supervision Courts (ISCs) will be expanded to provide treatment-focused alternatives for offenders dealing with addiction and trauma.

Key Facts

The UK legal services sector contributes over £42.5 billion annually, supports 384,000 jobs, and generates around £1,350 every second.
An evaluation of ISC pilots showed two-thirds of offenders produced clean drug tests, with fewer than one in four sanctioned for rule violations.

Background

The UK government has introduced new reforms aimed at improving the justice system and enhancing the country’s legal services on the global stage.

A new expert panel will bring together leading figures from the legal sector to reinforce the use of English law internationally. The group will oversee research to measure its global commercial value and underline its contribution to the economy.

The UK legal services sector already plays a crucial role, generating more than £42.5 billion annually. Officials say the industry contributes around £1,350 every second and provides jobs to 384,000 people across the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said that Intensive Supervision Courts (ISCs) will be expanded. These special courts help people who commit crimes because of problems like addiction or past trauma, providing treatment under strict supervision.

Liverpool will host the second ISC for female offenders, adding to four existing courts in Birmingham, Bristol, Teesside, and Liverpool’s drug rehabilitation court. Over 200 offenders have already taken part in these pilots.

An evaluation found that two-thirds of offenders struggling with addiction provided clean drug tests during supervision. Fewer than one in four were sanctioned for failing to follow the rules, showing positive early results.

These reforms form part of the government’s wider Plan for Change, which aims to deliver swifter justice for victims and ensure punishments are effective in cutting crime.