1. End Secret Courts
We are committed to a transparent, reasonable and fair judicial system. Evidence should be presented in a fair and open manner, and justice must be seen to be done. We would end the use of secret courts.
- Committing to a transparent, reasonable, and fair judicial system.
- Ending the use of secret courts to ensure justice is seen to be done.
2. Ensure The Police Are Effective
The number of police officers should reflect the needs of the area in which they operate. However, every police force should have the resources to ensure that police officers are both highly visible and available when they are needed. The numbers and balance of Police Community Support Officers and Police Officers in every force area should be sufficient to achieve that goal.
- Advocating for police resources that match area needs.
- Ensuring highly visible and available police officers.
- Balancing Police Community Support Officers and Police Officers for effectiveness.
3. Improve The Rehabilitation Of Offenders
We will introduce significant reforms to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The current recidivism rate in the UK is around 50%, in part due to discrimination against former prisoners after release. The Pirate Party will propose removing the requirement to declare spent criminal convictions and toughen legislation making it illegal to discriminate against people with spent convictions.
- Proposing significant reforms to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
- Removing the requirement to declare spent criminal convictions.
- Toughening legislation against discrimination based on spent convictions.
4. Maintain Independence Of The Judiciary, CPS And The Police
Politicians should pass laws that they feel appropriate, but it should be the role of the police and judges to act independently, neither aiming to influence nor being swayed by political or popular pressures. The limiting of the independence of judges, and the curtailment of their ability to make the right judgement and to pass appropriate sentences on cases that come before them can and does constitute an injustice. The police should act on the basis of priorities that are right for the areas in which they are operating. They should not be pushed to prioritise their resources or change the way they police on the basis of political demands.
- Emphasising the importance of an independent judiciary, CPS, and police.
- Avoiding political or popular pressures in judicial and police decisions.
- Ensuring judges can pass appropriate sentences and prioritise right areas.
5. Make Extradition Fair
No extradition should be permitted where a British Judges deems that an extradition would not be in the interests of justice. We will ensure that British judges have the power to halt an extradition until they were satisfied that a case is trial-ready, as well as the power to refuse extradition where the country seeking extradition is clearly not the appropriate place for trial.
We would also seek clearer rules to deal with cases where there is a multinational aspect to ensure cases are handled transparently and fairly.
We would address the perceived imbalance in the US-UK extradition treaty by requiring that the standards for extradition being granted and the information required to assess each case are the same whether an extradition request comes from the US or the UK. Any extradition treaty must not only be fair, but be seen to be fair.
- Opposing extradition where it’s against the interests of justice.
- Granting British judges the power to halt extradition until trial readiness is ensured.
- Seeking clearer rules for multinational cases and a fair US-UK extradition treaty.
6. No To Police Commissioners
The concept of electing Police Commissioners in Britain is viewed by many as regressive for justice. While transparency in law enforcement is crucial, subjecting these officials to electoral processes introduces the risk of political influence compromising their duties. Therefore, the we will for the removal of Police Commissioners altogether, prioritizing a system that upholds impartiality and effectiveness in maintaining public safety.
- Opposing the election of Police Commissioners.
- Advocating for public scrutiny without political pressure.
- Committing to abolishing Police Commissioners.
7. Police Accountability
We would ensure independent oversight of investigations into police wrongdoing. Internal investigations would continue even if an officer under investigation resigns or retires.
- Ensuring independent oversight of police wrongdoing investigations.
- Continuing internal investigations even if an officer resigns or retires.
8. Reverse Legal Aid Cuts
Justice should be equal for all in the UK, and that includes access to justice, regardless of income or background. The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill will cut millions from the Legal Aid budget leaving victims out in the cold. The Pirate Party will reverse cuts to legal aid brought in by the LASPO bill, affecting domestic violence, immigration, employment, debt, welfare benefit, divorce, and welfare benefits.
Access to justice is vital if justice is to be done. Legal aid allows everyone to obtain adequate representation, even if they are impoverished. We would reverse cuts to legal aid and introduce reforms to ensure access. Sanctions would discourage vexatious or frivolous motions or pleadings.
- Advocating for equal access to justice for all, regardless of income.
- Reversing cuts to legal aid and ensuring access to representation.
- Introducing sanctions to discourage frivolous motions or pleadings.