Justice Secretary Dominic Raab is examining whether judges should be able to impose longer prison sentences on murderers who refuse to appear for their sentencing hearings.
Raab's comments come after the family of 35-year-old law graduate Zara Aleena, who was sexually assaulted and murdered by Jordan McSweeney, complained that McSweeney was legally allowed to skip his sentencing hearing.
Currently, UK law allows defendants to choose whether or not to attend their own sentencing.
The proposed change in the law seeks to ensure that those convicted are present at their sentencing, and that those who refuse to attend face longer jail terms.
In June 2019, Zara Aleena, a 35-year-old aspiring lawyer, was sexually assaulted and killed by Jordan McSweeney as she was walking home in Ilford, East London, just days after his prison release.
McSweeney was sentenced to life in prison without parole, but he did not attend his own sentencing.
Aleena's family complained to Justice Secretary Dominic Raab that the law that allows defendants to opt out of attending their own sentencing was unjust.
In response, Raab has proposed legislation that would compel murderers to attend their own sentencing or face longer jail terms.
The proposal is still in the early stages of consideration but has already generated discussion.
Aleena's aunt, Farah Naz, said the proposal would make defendants face the human consequences of their crimes: "it's your opportunity to look someone in the eye and we want to see that humanity in them.
" The MoJ is still reviewing the best way forward to ensure that defendants cannot hide from the consequences of their crimes.