PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Aiding and Abetting (29 January 2018)

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to review the use of joint enterprise and bring forward legislative proposals to clarify the law on joint enterprise as a result of the Resolution agreed by the House on Joint Enterprise on 25 January 2018, Official Report, columns 444-477.

Asked by:
Mr Andrew Mitchell (Conservative)

Joint Enterprise is a common law doctrine. The Supreme Court judgment in R v Jogee amended the law in this area, and did not call for Parliament to legislate.

It is for our independent courts to interpret the law, as laid down by the Supreme Court. The Crown Prosecution Service has amended its guidance on secondary liability for prosecutors in line with the Jogee judgment, and has consulted on that guidance which aims to provide a clear direction for prosecutors in this area of law.

The Government does not believe that any changes to the law on joint enterprise are currently needed, but will keep the matter under review.

Answered by:
Lucy Frazer (Conservative)
1 February 2018