Contributions
466 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Tenth sitting)My understanding of the legislation is that an independent supporter would be a recognised professional, but that does not exclude someone who may have a relationship outside…23 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Tenth sitting)I beg to move amendment 14, in clause 17, page 30, line 10, at end insert— “(3) The Lord Chancellor must, within six months of the commencement of this section, lay before both…23 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Tenth sitting)I recognise that the amendment is limited in scope because the Bill is limited in scope, especially when it comes to the family court. Perhaps rather cheekily, I was trying to get…23 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Ninth sitting)I beg to move amendment 17, in schedule 2, page 52, line 5, leave out “on payment of a fee” and insert— “to victims of criminal offence without a fee within 14 days of a request”.…23 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Tenth sitting)Clause 12 stipulates that when a direction allows evidence by live link or pre-recorded cross examination, screens must also be provided unless that would be contrary to the…23 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Tenth sitting)Rape Crisis has pointed out that current practice ignores the fact that women are often subjected to multiple instances of sexual violence in their lives. Survivors have told Rape…23 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Tenth sitting)This has been a robust and important debate, and there are strong feelings on both sides of the argument. As I said earlier, we are legislating in a complex area. I think the…23 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Tenth sitting)Am I right in thinking that the hon. Member agrees with me that, when we are trying to legislate for what the most complex part of our justice system—families—that is an…23 Apr 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillChichester high school in my constituency has introduced Yondr pouches—I imagine there are many similar pouches. Children can take their phones to school, but then they have to…22 Apr 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillThe shadow Minister is absolutely right. The inboxes of all Members across the House have been filled by parents who feel passionately that they need help to be able to control…22 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)I thank the hon. Member for his point; he characterises me very well as being generous. I would also argue that the scope is expanded significantly if one of the offences that a…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)Clause 6 expands the Secretary of State’s regulation-making power to change the general limit on the custodial sentence that a magistrates court may impose. It replaces the…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Seventh sitting)Does the hon. Lady recognise that the 2025 Criminal Bar Association study noted that one in five barristers are considering leaving the criminal Bar, not because of the…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Seventh sitting)Clause 3 and its various parts outline how trials can take place without juries. The Liberal Democrats have always fundamentally opposed the move to remove the right to a trial in…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)In the last couple of weeks, there have been press reports about a particular case that was charged in 2019. I will not go into that because it is going to reopen, but clause 4…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)The hon. Member is making a really interesting point about what we perceive to be lengthy or complex, as the hon. Member for Bolton South and Walkden tried to do with her…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)Has the Ministry of Justice done any modelling on the benefits of introducing Maxwell hours for all lengthy fraud cases? Doing so would benefit jurors, as they would only be…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)Does the hon. Lady agree with His Honour Geoffrey Rivlin KC, who argued that jury trials could actually impose discipline in complex fraud cases, whereas in a judge-only trial…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)I beg to move amendment 22, in clause 6, page 17, line 11, at end insert— “(9) After section 15 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, insert— ‘ 15A…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)Amendment 13, which was tabled in my name, provides that magistrates’ sentencing powers cannot be increased beyond 12 months, which would keep the Bill in line with Leveson’s…21 Apr 2026