Guidance

Ministry of Justice: arm’s length bodies framework documents

Framework documents are a core constitutional document of Arm's Length Bodies (ALB) and govern the collaborative relationship between the arm's length body and the sponsor or shareholder department.

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Cafcass Framework

Criminal Cases Review Commission Framework

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Agency Framework

HM Chief Inspector of Prisons

HM Chief Inspector of Probation

Law Commission Framework

Legal Aid Agency Framework

Legal Services Board Framework

Office for Legal Complaints Framework

Parole Board Framework

Victims Commissioner Framework

Youth Justice Board Framework

Details

Framework documents set out the arrangements for government departments to monitor and understand their ALBs’ strategy, performance and delivery and constitute a core constitutional document of the ALB. They govern the collaborative relationship between the individual ALB, the sponsoring department and the rest of government.

Updates to this page

Published 20 September 2022
Last updated 26 February 2026 show all updates
  1. HMI Prisons, HMI Probation, Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, Victims Commissioner, Official Solicitor and the Public Trustee and Law Commission frameworks published.

  2. Added HM Prison and Probation Service and Office of the Public Guardian framework documents.

  3. Parole Board Framework updated and Judicial Appointments Commission Framework published.

  4. Cafcass Framework and Youth Justice Board Framework updated. Independent Monitoring Authority Framework published.

  5. First published.

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