Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022

Key Points

• Remote court proceedings: The bill establishes or expands remote observation and related directions across courts and tribunals (via new sections 85A/85B) and includes safeguards such as consent from the Senior President of Tribunals for certain arrangements, while extending the reach to devolved jurisdictions.
• Serious Violence Reduction Orders (SVROs): The bill creates SVROs with defined terms (including a 'home address' concept) and requires consultation with devolved administrations when making related regulations, aiming to curb serious violence.
• Life-sentence release reform: The longer release period applies only to offences punishable by life imprisonment at the time of sentencing, not those subsequently made so, refining when extended release timing can operate.
• Police powers and enforcement: The bill clarifies and enlarges certain police powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, including seizure powers and the ability to require removal of property or leave land, to strengthen enforcement.
• Administrative and devolution safeguards: A terminology update changes 'pupils' to 'students' in reference to a secure 16–19 Academy, and Regulation-making provisions include duties to consult Scottish Ministers and the Northern Ireland Department of Justice, with amendments extending the Act to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Progress

The Bill has been enacted as law (Royal Assent). Some provisions are designed to come into force immediately, while others will commence later or via regulations, with ongoing implementation managed through delegated powers and orders.

Voting

Commons divisions show the government pushing the legislation forward, often voting to disagree with Lords amendments and to preserve the government’s preferred content. While parties across the House participated in the debates and votes, the government generally secured the majority on key motions, reflecting broad support for the bill across its passage.