Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will provide a date as to when his Department will respond to the consultation into regulation and oversight of private prosecutions in the Criminal Justice System which closed in May 2025.

Private prosecutions brought by individuals or companies play an important role in the justice system. However, in recent years, some private prosecutors have been found to have acted unlawfully, improperly and well below the standards the public expects, and concerns have also been raised about the operation of safeguards within the Single Justice Procedure.

This is why the Ministry of Justice consulted on “Regulation and oversight of private prosecutions and strengthening safeguards in the Single Justice Procedure”, which closed in May 2025. The consultation generated a significant number of detailed responses, reflecting the complexity of the issues involved. The Government is considering these carefully alongside related policy and delivery issues to ensure that the response is fully informed. The Government response will be published in due course.