The Criminal Justice System in England and Wales 2025 - Sir Max Hill KC

As part of the Institute of Criminology Michaelmas Term 2025 Public Seminar Series, on 30th October, Sir Max Hill KCB KC spoke on The Criminal Justice System in England and Wales 2025.

In his inaugural lecture as Radzinowicz Fellow, Sir Max highlighted the many routes through which new criminal justice policy is introduced with his ‘Top Ten’ of recent legislation. Recounting some of the key changes in criminal justice policy since he was called to the Bar in 1987 and how they impacted directly on his work. Sir Max discussed his time as a UK Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, a role he started in 2017 shortly before a sustained period of terrorist attacks in England. Sir Max also talked about significant and high-profile cases encountered in his role as Director of Public Prosecutions  (2018-2023), including double jeopardy jurisdiction and his personal involvement in the Court of Appeal to quash an acquittal.

Sir Max was a member of the Times Commission on Crime and Justice 2024-5. This permitted reflection across the Criminal Justice System, with recommendations for change and improvement. With the Gauke review of sentencing and Leveson on jury trials following since publication of the Times Commission, the time is ripe for reflections on how we came to be in the current crowded environment, stymied by backlogs and delay, and how we might get out of this cycle of decline. Sir Max shared his thoughts on the way forward, using his hand-on experience of criminal law and justice since he was called to the Bar in 1987.

Sir Max Hill KC was Director of Public Prosecutions for England & Wales 2018-23, and Head of the Crown Prosecution Service. He was previously UK Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, Chair of the Criminal Bar Association, Leader of the South Eastern Circuit, Chair of the Kalisher Trust and Head of Red Lion Chambers. Since 2024 he is senior Counsel and Policy Advisor at King & Spalding International LLP, Associate Tenant at Red Lion Chambers, Chair of the Drive Forward Foundation and Patron of The Vavengers. He was knighted in 2024 for services to Law and Order.

For the recording of this event, please click here

For the transcript of this event, please click here