The Victims' Commissioner

Established under the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 and strengthened by the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024. The Commissioner is appointed by the Secretary of State for Justice. The current Commissioner is Baroness Newlove. The office is independent of government and reports annually to Parliament.

The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime sets out twelve rights that criminal justice agencies must deliver. The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 placed the rights on a statutory duty footing.

• Right 1, to understand and to be understood
• Right 2, to have details of the crime recorded without unjustified delay
• Right 3, to be provided with information when reporting the crime
• Right 4, to be referred to support services and to have services and support tailored to your needs
• Right 5, to be provided with information about the investigation and prosecution
• Right 6, to make a Victim Personal Statement
• Right 7, to be given information about the trial, trial process and your role as a witness
• Right 8, to be given information about compensation
• Right 9, to be given information about the agencies you may come into contact with
• Right 10, to meet the prosecutor in some cases
• Right 11, to be given information about the outcome of the case and any appeals
• Right 12, to be paid expenses and have property returned

• Review the operation of the Victims' Code across criminal justice agencies
• Make recommendations to the Secretary of State and to chief executives of agencies
• Publish reports on systemic issues, recent reports cover stalking, rape investigation, and victim contact
• Require information from criminal justice agencies under the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024
• Lay reports before Parliament; comment on legislation and policy

• Investigate an individual case
• Direct a police force, the CPS, the courts or any other agency to take a particular action
• Overturn a charging decision or a verdict
• Award compensation
• Provide legal advice

Placed the Victims' Code on a statutory duty footing for criminal justice agencies. Gave the Commissioner formal information-gathering powers. Required agencies to have regard to the Code. Required ministers and PCCs to publish information on their compliance with the Code. Created a duty on the government to publish a Victims' Code awareness campaign.

Submit evidence on systemic issues through the Commissioner's website. The office uses this evidence to inform its reports and recommendations. For an individual complaint about a Victims' Code failure, complain first to the agency concerned, then to the relevant ombudsman (the PHSO for criminal justice agencies). The Commissioner is not the right route for an individual remedy.