Attorney General Ellie Reeves has said putting victims first will be one of her key priorities, following talks with the Victims’ Commissioner on how to improve the criminal justice system.
Reeves met the Victims’ Commissioner this week to discuss how victims can be better supported, heard and helped to access justice.
Writing on X, Reeves said:
“Working together to put victims first is one of my key priorities.”
She added:
“We discussed how we can improve the criminal justice system, so victims feel better supported, heard and able to access justice.”
The meeting comes as the Labour Government continues work to strengthen confidence in the justice system and improve the experience of victims throughout the criminal process. Reeves, who leads the Attorney General’s Office, has previously argued that victims must be at the heart of criminal justice policy.
For many victims, concerns can include long waits for cases to progress, difficulties accessing information and support, and frustration over whether their voices are properly heard as cases move through the courts.
Reeves’ intervention signals a focus on making the system more responsive to those affected by crime, alongside wider efforts to tackle delays and improve the effectiveness of prosecutions.
The Victims’ Commissioner plays a key role in representing the interests of victims and witnesses, scrutinising how public bodies meet their responsibilities and pushing for improvements where the system falls short.
Reeves said closer cooperation would be central to ensuring that victims are not treated as an afterthought.
The meeting also reflects Labour’s broader emphasis on rebuilding trust in the justice system by making sure victims can understand what is happening in their case, access appropriate support and feel that their experiences are taken seriously.
For Reeves, the objective is clear: a justice system that works effectively must also work for the people who have suffered as a result of crime.
Her comments reinforce the Government’s commitment to putting victims at the centre of criminal justice reform and ensuring that access to justice is matched by meaningful support throughout the process.
