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

Alongside preparation of this JRAB, it has become ever clearer that any deficiencies within existing provisions in relation to contempt of court must also be addressed and in a manner which harmonises with other provisions within the JRAB, or within Acts of Tynwald that are otherwise to be amended by the JRAB in connection with the administration of justice.

A draft Contempt of Court Bill was prepared during the last parliamentary administration and was subject to stakeholder consultation (opens in a new tab) with key stakeholders and offered for public comment by the Attorney General’s Chambers.

Subsequently, a refined version of that Bill was subject to a targeted consultation with all Government Departments in August 2024, and additional redrafting took place following that consultation period. The most recent draft version of the Contempt of Court Bill, offered for consultation now as the Contempt of Court Bill 2025, pays mind to the recent work of the Law Commission in relation to Contempt of Court (opens in a new tab), as the concept of contempt is one which is shared across the majority of jurisdictions.

The notions in relation to preclusion of the reporting of proceedings where this is not appropriate, and in ensuring that suitable standards are maintained by parties within the criminal justice system are universal. Additionally other matters that are clearly defined within the Bill as certain types of contempt, such as the publication of matters which are precluded e.g. during active proceedings (that in many cases harmonise with, or bolster, those set out in the JRAB, for example in relation to live links) or when otherwise precluded in private proceedings (and are aligned with existing Manx laws), or the deliberate breach of court directions or orders.