Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what specific warning signs relating to McClure Solicitors were identified by legal services regulators prior to the firm’s collapse, and when those warning signs were first identified.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Government recognises the financial loss, distress and uncertainty experienced by former clients affected by the collapse of WW&J McClure Ltd (McClure), particularly in relation to family protection trusts and wider estate planning arrangements.
The legal profession in England and Wales, together with its regulators, operates independently of government. Responsibility for regulating the sector sits with approved regulators, overseen by the Legal Services Board (LSB). The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible for regulating the professional conduct of solicitors and most law firms in England and Wales. This includes McClure, as well as Jones Whyte which took on the work in progress and certain assets of McClure when it went into administration in April 2021. The SRA regulates the firms’ activities in England and Wales, with matters relating to their Scottish offices falling under the Law Society of Scotland. Details of the SRA’s ongoing work in relation to McClure is available here: https://www.sra.org.uk/news/news/mcclure/.
With regards to asking the SRA to meet representatives of former clients of McClure, given regulatory independence, the Ministry of Justice does not direct the SRA’s stakeholder engagement. However, I have discussed the impact of the firm’s collapse with the SRA and know that the SRA is continuing to meet with various stakeholders, including those representing former clients.
Any warning signs relating to McClure prior to the firm’s collapse, and when these were identified by legal services regulators, are similarly operational matters for the independent SRA. The Ministry of Justice does not hold this information.
In relation to successor firm requirements, SRA guidance for firms is available here: https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/guidance/closing-down-your-practice/. Under the SRA’s framework, its assessment is that Jones Whyte is not a successor practice. However, the firm must make sure it complies with a range of obligations, including those which have been set out in a compliance plan which the firm has agreed and on which the SRA is monitoring progress. This includes secure handling and storage of client papers and documents, and appropriate arrangements for file distribution and advice to impacted clients on their options.
With regard to changes to legal services regulation since the collapse of McClure, there has been continued work to strengthen how risks to consumers are identified and addressed. The SRA’s Corporate Strategy 2023-26 includes strengthening risk based and proactive regulation as a strategic priority and it has pursued action in this area. For example, in its recent Business Plan, the SRA sets out the steps it has taken to improve how it uses data and intelligence to spot risks more swiftly and take action to manage them effectively. The SRA has also indicated that it is accelerating this work, including through further investment in people and technology. In addition, the SRA is implementing changes in response to the LSB’s independent reviews of its regulation of Axiom Ince Ltd and SSB Group Ltd.
The Ministry of Justice keeps the statutory framework set by the Legal Services Act 2007 under review to ensure that it is operating effectively and protects consumers. The Government has no current plans to review the regulation of estate planning and trust-selling practices. The Department's focus is on improving the enforcement of existing rules.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what measures are currently in place to protect vulnerable and elderly consumers from being sold complex legal products, including family protection trusts, and whether changes have been made since 2021.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Government recognises the importance of protecting vulnerable and elderly consumers from harm when purchasing complex legal products. This includes Family Protection Trusts, also known as Asset Protection Trusts, which are a form of Discretionary Trust or Interest in Possession Trust.
The legal profession in England and Wales, together with its regulators, operates independently of Government. Responsibility for regulating the sector sits with approved regulators, overseen by the Legal Services Board. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible for regulating the professional conduct of solicitors and most law firms in England and Wales. The SRA’s standards and guidance require solicitors to act in clients’ best interests and to take particular care where clients may be vulnerable, including considering capacity and the appropriateness of taking instructions.
Since 2021, the SRA has continued to strengthen its risk-based, proactive approach to identifying and addressing consumer harm, including where clients may be vulnerable. For example, alongside work to improve how it uses data and intelligence to spot risks more swiftly, it has:
The Financial Conduct Authority also issued a warning about Asset Protection Trust Schemes in April 2023 specifically advising anyone considering entering such a scheme to seek independent legal advice to ensure that the Trust will actually work to deliver the intended protection of assets, as well as independent financial advice to validate any proposed strategy for investing assets before agreeing to put any money, property or assets into such a Trust scheme.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, in what proportion of trials without a jury was a not guilty verdict given in each year since 2020.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Ministry of Justice publishes data on the volume and sentencing outcomes of cases heard at the magistrates’ court for triable either way offences and indictable offences (i.e., trials without a jury), in the Magistrates’ Court data tool, that can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal justice statistics quarterly - GOV.UK.
The volume and sentencing outcomes of cases heard at the Crown Court is available in the Crown Court data tool by offence type. This includes the number of cases which are convicted and acquitted.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, in what proportion of trials juries reached a not guilty verdict in each year since 2020.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Ministry of Justice publishes data on the volume and sentencing outcomes of cases heard at the magistrates’ court for triable either way offences and indictable offences (i.e., trials without a jury), in the Magistrates’ Court data tool, that can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal justice statistics quarterly - GOV.UK.
The volume and sentencing outcomes of cases heard at the Crown Court is available in the Crown Court data tool by offence type. This includes the number of cases which are convicted and acquitted.
Asked by: Karl Turner (Labour - Kingston upon Hull East)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the current average number of Crown court courtrooms that are not sitting in a month is; and what steps he is taking to address the issue of Crown Courts not sitting.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
I refer the honourable Member to the answer I gave on 6 January to question 100312.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to help reduce the time taken for cases to go to trial in the commercial court.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
I am pleased to say there are currently no undue delays in listing trials in the commercial court. However, we are constantly seeking improvements in timeliness.
Listing and case management in the Commercial Court are matters for the judiciary. HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) supports the court to progress cases efficiently by:
We continue to monitor performance with HMCTS and the judiciary and will support further operational improvements to help ensure cases are heard in a timely manner.
Asked by: Lord Carter of Haslemere (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Master of the Rolls about the impact of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 on the justice system.
Answered by Baroness Levitt - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The Lord Chancellor is responsible for the Government's relationship with the judiciary. As would be expected, he and other Departmental Ministers have regular engagement with the senior judiciary, including the Master of the Rolls, on a whole host of matters including legislation that affects the justice system.
It is standard practice not to comment on the specifics of discussions between Ministers and the judiciary. In line with constitutional conventions, discussions with the judiciary do not cover the merits of policy proposals and are limited to technical matters relating to the operation of the courts and the wider administration of justice.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the expansion of mediation within the civil justice system on a) delays in the courts, and b) resultant business productivity.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
We recognise the benefits of mediation to individuals and businesses in resolving disputes in a less adversarial manner. Where mediation is successful, both businesses and their customers will be spared the time and stress of litigation.
The impact assessment for the introduction of mandatory mediation for small claims estimated a 15-55% reduction in hearings, freeing up 1,400 – 5,200 sitting days per year.
The impact assessment for the introduction of mandatory mediation found that businesses make up 58% of all parties to small claims, and that the potential benefit to businesses of earlier settlement through mandatory mediation could be £25 million - £92 million per annum, based on a 15-55% settlement rate.
Between August 2024 and August 2025, a total of 81,206 cases were referred to mediation, 56,268 mediations took place, and 19,536 were successfully settled through mediation, representing an overall settlement rate of approximately 35%.
A formal evaluation will be published in the summer of this year and findings will inform decisions on further expansion of mandatory mediation.
We will consult with organisations such as the Federation of Small Businesses, Chamber of Commerce, and other relevant partners before making any final decisions on the further expansion of mandatory mediation.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect on business productivity of expansion of mediation within the civil justice system.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
We recognise the benefits of mediation to individuals and businesses in resolving disputes in a less adversarial manner. Where mediation is successful, both businesses and their customers will be spared the time and stress of litigation.
The impact assessment for the introduction of mandatory mediation for small claims estimated a 15-55% reduction in hearings, freeing up 1,400 – 5,200 sitting days per year.
The impact assessment for the introduction of mandatory mediation found that businesses make up 58% of all parties to small claims, and that the potential benefit to businesses of earlier settlement through mandatory mediation could be £25 million - £92 million per annum, based on a 15-55% settlement rate.
Between August 2024 and August 2025, a total of 81,206 cases were referred to mediation, 56,268 mediations took place, and 19,536 were successfully settled through mediation, representing an overall settlement rate of approximately 35%.
A formal evaluation will be published in the summer of this year and findings will inform decisions on further expansion of mandatory mediation.
We will consult with organisations such as the Federation of Small Businesses, Chamber of Commerce, and other relevant partners before making any final decisions on the further expansion of mandatory mediation.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Gloucester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many people of each (1) ethnic group, and (2) religion, were in prison as of 30 September 2025.
Answered by Lord Timpson - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The information requested is routinely published in H M Prison & Probation Service’s Offender Management Statistics Quarterly publication. It is set out in the attached tables.
The figures in these tables have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.