Justice Reform (Amendment) Bill 2025 and Contempt of Court Bill 2025

Feedback updated 19 Dec 2025

We asked

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) conducted a five-week public consultation between 22 September and 27 October 2025 on two proposed Bills: the draft Justice Reform (Amendment) Bill 2025 (JRAB) and the draft Contempt of Court Bill 2025.

Both Bills are included within the legislative programme of the Island Plan (opens in a new tab) and are central to the Department’s 2025–2026 Department Plan (PDF opens in a new tab). Responses were invited via the online Consultation Hub survey or in writing.

You said

The Department received a total of 32 responses:

  • 23 via the online Consultation Hub survey
  • 9 written responses

Of these:

  • 21 were from individuals
  • 11 were submitted on behalf of an organisation or business

Feedback on the JRAB reflected a range of views. Most respondents welcomed the proposed enhancements and modifications to the Justice Reform Act 2021. There was broad support for measures aimed at improving protections for individuals and enhancing responses to serious offences, particularly those of a sensitive nature.

Some respondents raised concerns about specific proposals, noting that certain changes could have unintended consequences. Others emphasised the need for robust safeguarding provisions and protections for victims. A number of responses also highlighted the importance of clarity in the application of new provisions and consistency with existing legislation.

Overall, the Consultation demonstrated support for the proposed changes, or constructive feedback that, where possible, has been taken on board in finalising the JRAB. All views submitted were carefully considere

We did

The Department has carefully reviewed all responses and where potential issues or areas of concern were raised, these have been considered in preparing the final draft of the JRAB for introduction. These additional considerations ensure that the JRAB reflects stakeholder input and that, where possible, any potential unintended consequences stemming from broader changes are suitably mitigated.

As noted within the Consultation on the JRAB, the JRAB incorporates outstanding Tynwald recommendations (opens in a new tab) and other refinements identified through a review of the expected operational impact of the Justice Reform Act 2021, along with fresh policy changes.

The JRAB had its first reading in the House of Keys on the 16 December 2025, under its 'as introduced' title: the Justice and Home Affairs (Reform and Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2025 (PDF opens in a new tab). The Explanatory Notes to the [JHA (RMA)] Bill (PDF opens in a new tab) contain additional summarising of the provisions of the Bill and the impact of these.

The Department is grateful for all contributions received to the Consultation. While individual comments cannot be reproduced in full, this summary reflects the breadth of views shared and ensures anonymity of contributors.

Finally, it is noted that a separate Summary of Responses will be prepared in connection with the Contempt of Court Bill 2025 and published in the near future.

Results updated 19 Dec 2025

Revised version of 'As amended' Acts have been produced after the consultation closure as follows:

'As amended' Acts

View and download the post consultation 'as amended' versions of Acts

Revised version of 'As amended' Acts have been produced following the consultation closure as follows:

Separately to this, a document has been prepared which contains collated excerpts of the 'as amended' provisions of Acts which are not subject to such extensive amendments as the above (i.e. where amendments are restricted to certain provisions which might be excerpted) and, as such, have been collated within one document for ease of reference.

This document, titled Collated miscellaneous amendments made by the JHA (RMA) Bill 2025 (PDF opens in a new tab), contains excerpts from the following Acts:

  • Bankruptcy Code 1892
  • Census Act 1929
  • Children and Young Persons Act 1966
  • Children and Young Persons Act 2001
  • Coinage Offences Act 1980
  • Companies Act 1931
  • Consumer Protection (Trade Descriptions) Act 1970
  • Consumer Protection Act 1991
  • Criminal Damage Act 1981
  • Criminal Law Act 1981
  • Customary Laws Act 1417
  • Endangered Species Act 2010
  • Estate Agents Act 1975
  • Fair Trading Act 1996
  • Forgery Act 1952
  • Industrial and Building Societies Act 1892
  • Interpretation Act 2015
  • Loans (Infants) Act 1907
  • Moneylenders Act 1991
  • Non-Resident Traders Act 1983
  • Partnership Act 1909
  • Perjury Act 1952
  • Post Office Act 1993
  • Price Marking Act 1976
  • Theft Act 1981
  • Timeshare Act 1996
  • Unsolicited Goods and Services (Isle of Man) Act 1974
  • Weights and Measures Act 1989

Files:

Closed 27 Oct 2025

Opened 22 Sep 2025

Contact

Shelley Walker

(Administration and Policy Manager)

Department of Home Affairs

+44 1624 694306

GeneralEnquiries.DHA@gov.im

Overview

The Department of Home Affairs is seeking views on two proposed Bills, the draft Justice Reform (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the draft Contempt of Court Bill 2025.

The two draft Bills are offered for public consultation now, for a period of 5 weeks, in order that views can be received on these key pieces of legislation prior to their progression through the legislative branches before the end of this parliamentary period.

Both Bills are already included within the Legislative Plan found within the Island Plan (opens in a new tab), and detail of the Bills themselves, and the changes they propose to make, are set out within the consultation document that can either be downloaded in full from the link below, or referred to within the immersive Online Survey.

To ensure that the consultation content is accessible, the consultation document sets out a brief overview of the Justice Reform Act 2021 and its contents. Separate detail regarding the proposed changes to the Justice Reform Act 2021, as set out within the Justice Reform (Amendment) Bill 2025, along with key issues, or of other fresh policy proposals offered for consideration as part of this consultation, are also included within the consultation.

A separate section of the consultation sets out detail in relation to the proposed Contempt of Court Bill 2025.

Why your views matter

A functional Criminal Justice System is critical to maintain safety and public order. We want to make sure that the Island’s Criminal Justice System is efficient and effective, and that, where suitable modernisations or improvements have been identified, these are made. 

All feedback will be collated to identify any potential concerns and to ensure that the views of the agencies that support the operation of the Criminal Justice System and those of key stakeholders and interested parties are considered. Views provided may help shape future actions or identify additional changes that are needed to help finalise these Bills in order that they can begin their legislative progression.

Reasonable adjustments and alternative formats

The Department is committed to equal opportunities and our aim is to make our documents easy to use and accessible to all.

We will take steps to accommodate any reasonable adjustments and provide such assistance as you may reasonably require to enable you to access or reply to this consultation.

If you would like to receive this document in another format or need assistance with accessing or replying to this consultation, please email GeneralEnquiries.DHA@gov.im or telephone +44 1624 694306.

Responding to this consultation and questions

You can respond to this consultation online by clicking on the 'Online survey' link below. Alternatively you can download a paper version of this consultation in the 'Related' section below and email it to GeneralEnquiries.DHA@gov.im or post it to:

Shelley Walker, Administration and Policy Manager,
DHA Headquarters Building,
Tromode Road,
Douglas,
Isle of Man,
IM2 5PA

Supporting documents

Please ensure to view and download the documents available within the dropdown below prior to entering the consultation as these provide more information in regards to the changes proposed by this consultation. Should you need to access these documents again while responding to this consultation, please open this page in a new tab or window.

Bills

'As amended' Acts

View and download the 'as amended' versions of Acts related to this consultation

Separately to this, a document has been prepared which contains collated excerpts of the 'as amended' provisions of Acts which are not subject to such extensive amendments as the above (i.e. where amendments are restricted to certain provisions which might be excerpted) and, as such, have been collated within one document for ease of reference. 

This document, titled 'Collated Miscellaneous Amendments by JRAB consultation version' (PDF opens in a new tab), contains excerpts from the following Acts:

  • Bankruptcy Code 1892
  • Census Act 1929
  • Children and Young Persons Act 1966
  • Children and Young Persons Act 2001
  • Coinage Offences Act 1980
  • Companies Act 1931
  • Consumer Protection (Trade Descriptions) Act 1970
  • Consumer Protection Act 1991
  • Coroners of Inquest Act 1987
  • Criminal Damage Act 1981
  • Criminal Justice Act 1963
  • Criminal Justice Act 1991
  • Criminal Law Act 1981
  • Customary Laws Act 1417
  • Endangered Species Act 2010
  • Estate Agents Act 1975
  • Fair Trading Act 1996
  • Firearms Act 1947
  • Fireworks Act 2004
  • Forgery Act 1952
  • Human Rights Act 2001
  • Industrial and Building Societies Act 1892
  • Loans (Infants) Act 1907
  • Moneylenders Act 1991
  • Non-Resident Traders Act 1983
  • Partnership Act 1909
  • Perjury Act 1992
  • Post Office Act 1993
  • Price Marking Act 1976
  • Protection from Harassment Act 2000 amended
  • Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 2001
  • Road Traffic Act 1985 
  • Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2021
  • Shot Guns, Air Weapons and Cross-bows Act 1994
  • Theft Act 1981
  • Timeshare Act 1996
  • Unsolicited Goods and Services (Isle of Man) Act 1974
  • Weights and Measures Act 1989

What happens next

Following consultation on the Bills, the Department will produce a Summary of Responses and look to finalise copies of the draft Bills ready for entry to the legislative branches.

Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • All residents

Interests

  • Criminal Justice
  • Legislation