Fresh Thoughts Updates
Last Updated: May 2026
The Fresh Thoughts project is committed to providing accurate, up-to-date information. As laws and court procedures change, we use this space to alert front-line workers and Soroptimist clubs to necessary updates.
February 2026 Updates
New Family Court Protections Added
Recently there have been significant changes which affect the Family Courts in England and Wales and you can be informed of these changes by clicking on the link below.
April 2026 Updates
Leveson Review Update: New Sentencing & Court Rules for DA Offences
Explore the 2026 Courts and Tribunal Bill: How Leveson-inspired reforms change "either-way" offences, sentencing, and victim support to speed up justice in DA cases.
May 2026 Updates
Sentencing Act 2026: New Rules for Sentencing & Bail
The Sentencing Act 2026 shifts focus to rehabilitation, creating a legal presumption that custodial sentences under 12 months be suspended for up to 3 years. Immediate prison is reserved for high-risk offenders, while bail eligibility expands. Key victim protections include restriction zones, mandatory domestic abuse recording in court, and wider use of electronic monitoring to ensure safety.
Crime & Policing Act 2026: Key Domestic Abuse & VAWG Changes
The Crime and Policing Act 2026 introduces tough new measures to protect women and girls by unmasking online stalkers early, making it easier to secure Stalking Protection Orders, and criminalising spiking. It tightly restricts sex offenders from changing their names, outlaws non-consensual digital image abuse (including "nudification tools"), and expands child protection duties.
The Victims and Courts Act 2026: Key Changes for Survivors
The Victims and Courts Act 2026 places survivors at the heart of the justice system, backed by a £550 million investment in victim services. Key changes include forcing offenders to attend sentencing hearings, banning NDAs from silencing victims of criminal conduct, and giving families more time to challenge lenient sentences. Crucially for domestic abuse cases, it automatically restricts the parental rights of serious child abusers and rapists, protecting mothers from exhausting family court battles.