Due to a global outage Outlook and other Microsoft applications are not working as expected. Courts are still open and operational. Remote hearings are still going ahead. Courts remain available to accept urgent applications over the counter or via courier. 0800 COURTS remains available to support participants with any queries regarding urgent applications. The website will be updated when this is resolved.
Beware of scam texts and emails claiming to be from the Ministry of Justice. We do not send payment links in texts or emails. If you are unsure whether a message is genuine, contact our call centre on 0800 4 FINES (0800 434 637) or 0800 COURTS (0800 268 787) before clicking any links or making a payment. Read more about identifying scams.
International and national bodies work together to conduct regular visits to all places of detention in all States Parties and make recommendations to the relevant authorities to establish effective measures to prevent torture and ill-treatment, and to improve the conditions of detention of all persons deprived of liberty.
The subcommittee has a mandate to visit places where persons are deprived of their liberty in the States Parties to the Protocol and to make recommendations concerning the protection of these persons.
At the national level, States Parties must create or designate National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs)(external link) for the prevention of torture. The NPMs also have a mandate to inspect places of detention. They are empowered to make recommendations to the government aimed at strengthening protections, improving treatment and conditions, and preventing torture or ill-treatment. They also must report annually about their OPCAT activities.