Contributions
1,499 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Seventh sitting)I begin by thanking Justice for its detailed briefing on the clause, which was extremely helpful for identifying potential issues of concern. As the Minister has outlined, clause…16 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Seventh sitting)I appreciate the Minister’s explanation outlining again the safeguards in place. I do not believe the safeguards are sufficient and I hope that, over time, the Government will…16 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Seventh sitting)I beg to move amendment 58, in clause 9, page 23, line 41, at end insert— “(1G) In a case within subsection (1A)— (a) the accused may, at any time before the taking of a plea in…16 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Seventh sitting)Again, the Government concentrate on the people who are difficult in the system rather than those who might have a genuine reason for seeking change. I accept the Minister’s…16 Nov 2021HANSARDUK Human Rights FrameworkThe victims of the most horrendous crimes wait years for justice in this country, the courts backlog might not be sorted for eight years, rape convictions are at shamefully low…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)The crux of this matter is the defendant making an informed decision. The Minister referred to that. Coupled with that is the need for appropriate legal advice. The Minister also…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)We have already had a number of debates on our concerns about the extension of some of the powers. I have talked about the single justice procedure in detail, but it is now…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)The Minister appears to be coming to the end of his remarks and I want to press him on the unlawful convictions under the coronavirus legislation. Is the Department moving to…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)I am grateful to my hon. Friend for those comments. Sometimes, it seems that we end up talking about the same things in every single Bill Committee when it comes to justice. I…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)I beg to move amendment 52, in clause 6, page 11, line 10, at end insert— “(c) the court has been provided with a physical and mental health assessment of the accused confirming…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)I am grateful to the Minister for his response. I make no apology for always raising every issue in relation to children when the Government are trying to convert them into…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)I appreciate the Minister’s response on new clause 1. We can all accept that the SJP is not perfect. We are trying to persuade him of the need to look at data and consider how…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)That was a very interesting response. I think the Minister was confirming that what is in the amendment will, in fact, be the case going forward and that the Government will not…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)You’re doing a grand job.09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)That is exactly the reason why I will not push the amendment to a vote, but I make the point again that we cannot go forward in this country’s justice system moving more to…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)I beg to move amendment 53, in clause 6, page 11, line 10, at end insert— “(2A) Subsection (3) only has effect where a magistrates’ court is satisfied that the accused has engaged…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)Clause 6 adds new sections to the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 that enable defendants to engage with the plea before venue and allocation procedures in writing, rather than in…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)Indeed, that is very much the case. The Minister talked about how a conviction made by a magistrate in the absence of a defendant can always be challenged down the line. I do not…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)I beg to move amendment 45, in clause 3, page 4, line 29, at beginning insert— “(1) Before this section may be commenced, the Secretary of State must— (a) commission an…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)I will not detain the Committee long. I listened carefully to what the Minister said about doing everything possible to make sure that the defendant accesses legal support. I…09 Nov 2021