The CJS Hub CIC is a Community Interest Company that helps people make sense of the criminal justice system in England and Wales. We support individuals and families from the first contact with police, through pre-charge work, court, sentence, prison, licence and parole, probation supervision, community orders, unpaid work and fines. Our purpose is practical: clear information, steady guidance and resources that help people cope and stay on track.
We are not a charity. Whilst we are greatful for any and all donations we do not rely on them to survive. We operate as a business, earn our own income, and pursuant to the rules for Community Interest Companies reinvest any surplus into community benefit through projects. As we generate our own income the model lets us plan for the long term, keep standards high, and continue offering free information and signposting without waiting for grants to come through.
A core part of our income comes from legal support and consultancy delivered to solicitors’ firms. Some of our team are accredited police station representatives instructed by solicitors to attend interviews under caution. Others provide case preparation, litigation support and strategic input on criminal defence matters, pre-charge representations and prison law. When we are involved, it is always under the instruction of a solicitor. We do not take instructions directly from members of the public for legal work, and nothing on this website is legal advice.
We also publish practical resources. That includes books and digital materials designed to explain processes, prepare for key stages, and manage the strain that comes with long investigations and supervision. Where helpful, we may use affiliate links for books or goods; if you buy via those links we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
From time to time we seek grant funding for specific community projects. Typical areas include improving access to legal knowledge, building simple tools that help people manage their criminal justice journey, and running in-person events that reduce isolation for defendants and families. Any grants that we are successful in applying for are ring-fenced to the project they were intended and where requested reported bank to the grantor.
Every pound left after wages and overheads is reinvested into our mission. That means answering enquiries and signposting people to the right place, building and updating free guides in plain English, and strengthening projects that make a real difference to people who feel lost in the system. We are accountable to the CIC Regulator and operate with clear governance, conflict-of-interest checks and data protection controls. We keep client confidentiality, follow legal aid and professional rules when we work alongside solicitors, and are careful to state the limits of what we can and cannot do.
Our approach is simple. We keep information clear and practical. We focus on the steps you can take today. We work with the system as it is, not as we wish it to be. Whilst our publishing affiliations may campaign for changes and reform the work within The CJS Hub remains focussed on support. If you already have a solicitor, we help you use that relationship well by preparing sensibly, asking the right questions, and keeping good notes. If you are a family member or friend, we show you how to support without burning out.
Why this matters is obvious to anyone who has lived it. The process is stressful and often slow. People face tough choices with limited headspace, and small mistakes can have big consequences. A steady hand, clear explanations and a plan you can stick to make all the difference. That is what The CJS Hub exists to provide.
If you have any questions then contact us using the link below.
This page gives general information only. It is not legal advice.