Contributions
1,499 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDUK 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)I have a simple question about receipt of the charge. Through the post office, people can have a recorded delivery and actually sign for a letter. Why are the Government resisting…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)Amendment 53 would mean that defendants must be legally represented in order to indicate a plea in writing. As I said in my previous speech, early plea and mode of trial…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)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)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 will be brief and will not repeat the points made by my hon. Friend the Member for Hammersmith on open justice and the requirement for safeguards. I have two points to make,…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)That depends how much beer a journalist drinks these days; I think we used to put away many more pints than desk-bound journalists tend to now. The process makes it easier for…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)I thank Justice and Fair Trials again for their helpful input into these amendments. As a set, the amendments all deal with the need for safeguards in the procedure—we know the…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her intervention. She is correct, and she makes exactly the point that many of the people working in the sector are saying to the Government:…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)Almost certainly. Our hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham East talked about people with mental health problems or disabilities who are all disadvantaged by these proposals,…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)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)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)rose —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 am interested in the issue of people having a day in court or saving a day off work. Many people will make the wrong decision when they come into contact with the justice system…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)I am glad the Minister is pleased. The amendment would mandate the Secretary of State to commission and lay before Parliament an independent review of the potential impact of the…09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)You had been in power for five years.09 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Sixth sitting)My hon. Friend is entirely correct. That is why we have tabled the amendment, which would require data and proper research to be conducted, so the Government have something by…09 Nov 2021