Contributions
1,222 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Third sitting)I direct the hon. Lady to the statute book and to the case law that has evolved around that phrase. If the courts, this Government or our previous Government did not think it was…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Third sitting)It is a pleasure to open this further debate on clauses 1 and 2. In our debate on amendments 13 and 14, we considered how we could improve the way a decision is taken. It is…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Third sitting)I beg to move amendment 15, in clause 1, page 2, line 2, leave out from “force,” to end of line, and insert— “so long as it is not grossly disproportionate.”19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Third sitting)I understand the Minister’s desire to ensure that all the things she listed remain the purview of the judge, which is why the amendment makes it clear that they will. Nothing…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Third sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Stringer, and to open the first debate on the Bill in Committee as we begin line-by-line consideration. As you explained, Mr…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Third sitting)I beg to move amendment 13 in clause 1, page 1, line 17, at end insert— “(3A) If the court is minded not to make an order under subsection (2), the court has a duty to consult the…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)The Opposition recognise that flexibility in how we decide which professionals can perform important functions in our criminal justice system is important, and we do not object to…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)The point I was trying to make is that regulation of the private prosecutions sector will not necessarily be in the scope of legislation on sentencing or court reform. The MOJ…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)I am pleased to say that I was a member of the Select Committee, and I sat on that inquiry and signed off its recommendations. The issue of costs was particularly pertinent to me…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)As we have come to the conclusion of the clauses relating to these powers, I thought I might bring Baroness Newlove into the room and quote her view overall on the measures that…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)Everybody in the Committee today will be familiar with the importance of engaging with local authorities and social housing providers in relation to antisocial behaviour. We will…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)Again, the role and importance of the Victims’ Commissioner was something that we supported, reformed and strengthened during our time in Government, as the Minister highlighted.…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)As the Minister outlined, we are discussing changes primarily to the victim contact scheme and victim helpline. We supported the operation of those services in Government, and it…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Third sitting)As I have said very clearly, I am a shadow Justice Minister now, and the new shadow Secretary of State and I make justice policy. I am not afraid to go further than previous…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)I would like to make two points. First, on the drafting, I appreciate that the Government are ultimately responsible for the wording of legislation, but I gently say that perhaps…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)We return to consider the measures on parental responsibility. There was significant debate in our earlier sitting on the need to balance the measures, and the official Opposition…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)I beg to move amendment 20, in clause 3, page 7, line 4, leave out from “and” to end of line 9. This amendment is linked to Amendment 22.19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Third sitting)With respect, there is not a victim. The person has been acquitted, and there is not a child that has suffered anything, any more than if the person was found not guilty in the…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Third sitting)Can the Minister give me any other example in our legal system where someone who has suffered a consequence directly as a result of a conviction that is then overturned is…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Third sitting)The Minister made heroic efforts to explain the logic and context of how we ordinarily deal with these matters. We think the prohibited steps orders are an important enhancement…19 Jun 2025