Many of you can likely remember seeing the news that shook the nation in 2022, as nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel tragically lost her life when a gunman, Thomas Cashman, fired bullets through the front door of her family home in a botched assassination attempt of an unrelated individual in Dovecot, Liverpool.
A tragic case of wrong place, wrong time, Olivia’s mother also sustained injuries, but it was Olivia who paid the greatest price.
A year later, Cashman was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum sentence of 42 years, but something that had a lasting impact on Olivia’s family was that Cashman opted out of attending his sentencing hearing, as they were denied the opportunity to face him, instead reading their impact statements to an empty dock, which means that Cashman didn’t hear the full devastation he caused.
Over the last three years, the family campaigned for Olivia’s Law, and on April 21st, the law was passed.
At Brown Turner Ross, we have highly anticipated the introduction of this law, and in this guide, we will outline exactly what Olivia’s Law is and how it will impact criminal hearings going forward.
What is Olivia’s Law?
Driven by Olivia’s mum, Cheryl Korbel, Olivia’s Law grants judges the power to order ‘reasonable’ force to make offenders attend sentencing. The law change is expected to be made in the Victims, Courts and Public Protection Bill, which is set to be laid in Parliament over the coming months.
The Campaign Behind the Law
What inspired the campaign for the law was the cowardice of Thomas Cashman, who refused to leave his cell and face Olivia’s family during his sentencing, leaving the family devastated.
They believed it was important for Cashman to see the impact his actions had on them, but with his refusal to attend, the family did not receive the closure they deserved, and Cashman didn’t have to face the gravity of what he did. So Cheryl sought to change that.
The Political Journey of Olivia’s Law
After the event that inspired Cheryl Korbel to demand change, she began campaigning for law reform.
At the time, Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to change the law in upcoming legislation, and in November 2023, the law was included in the King’s Speech, stating that it would soon become part of the Criminal Justice Bill.
Olivia’s Law was then included in the Victims and Courts Bill and passed its second reading in Parliament in May 2025, after which it was taken to the House of Lords in late 2025.
After months of debate and discussion, the law was finalised in April 2026.
What Does the Bill Actually Do?
After what the Korbel family experienced, the bill’s main focus was to grant judges the power to order ‘reasonable force’ to bring convicted criminals to court for sentencing, but that is not all.
To reduce the number of criminals who outright refuse to comply or disrupt proceedings, the law now means that convicted criminals can face up to two additional years in prison. This key part of the legislation serves as a deterrent for criminals who may wish to disrupt proceedings and cause further undue stress on the victims.
In addition to additional years added to their sentences, offenders who refuse to attend sentencing hearings can have in-prison privileges, such as reduced visitation, stripped.
Why Does Olivia’s Law Matter?
Olivia’s Law matters because it allows victims and their families to read impact statements directly to offenders, so offenders must face the impact they have had on their victims’ lives.
Thanks to Olivia’s Law, families like the Korbels are guaranteed a small measure of closure that has so often been taken away from them, allowing them to see justice delivered in person.
For years, criminals have taken advantage of a loophole in the justice system that has had a lasting impact on families, and thanks to Olivia’s Law, we finally get to see the long-overdue change.
How Brown Turner Ross Can Help
With the introduction of Olivia’s Law, criminal proceedings are set to change. Want to learn more about these changes, or want to know more about Olivia’s Law? Contact our team today or find out more about the hard work of the Korbel’s through the Olivia’s Butterfly Foundation’s Facebook page, where they host regular fundraising events.