Contributions
466 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCourts 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)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)I will speak against the inclusion of clause 4. It inserts part 6A in the Criminal Justice Act 2003, which will allow complex or lengthy cases to be tried without a jury. My main…21 Apr 2026HANSARDMaternity CommissionerThe hon. Member is making a powerful speech, and she is absolutely right. We had the Bill Kirkup review, which made multiple recommendations; across all parties, the House said,…20 Apr 2026HANSARDMaternity CommissionerThe hon. and learned Gentleman is making an important point about the disparity in the guidance. If there is someone at the top of an NHS trust who is passionate about maternity…20 Apr 2026HANSARD Victims and Courts BillI begin by thanking Members from across both Chambers for their work in getting this legislation to where it is today. I especially thank the Government for their engagement with…20 Apr 2026HANSARD Victims and Courts BillI am pleased to hear that the Minister will be attending because I know that the organisers were keen to engage with her so that they can continue to see progress. I turn now to…20 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fifth sitting)The hon. Lady is making an excellent point about the complexity of cases changing throughout. A legal professional recently shared with me the story of what was an assault case,…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fifth sitting)We heard oral evidence from Doug Downey, who talked about the Canadian system. He also talked about how the right to elect is a protected characteristic of their justice system.…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)Although I have proposed the removal of clause 3 in its entirety—we will come to the arguments for that later in proceedings—I will speak to amendment 12, tabled in my name, which…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)I will speak to amendment 18, tabled in my name, which seeks to ensure that a defendant has the right to appeal against a judge’s decision to allocate a case for trial by judge…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)I accept that it might be a mischaracterisation to describe it as rough justice, but does the Minister agree that in this case it will be summary justice, which by its very…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)I appreciate the opportunity to come back on that. That poses another question: if judge-only trials are going to take the exact same amount of time, how will this speed up the…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)I beg to move amendment 19, in clause 3, page 6, line 25, at end insert— “(4A) A trial conducted without a jury will be heard by one judge and two magistrates.” This amendment…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)I recognise the comments made by the hon. Member for Isle of Wight East. I agree that the amendment would not go towards restoring jury trials, and I will continue to push for…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)On a point of clarification, in the instance where a jury trial may begin but the case is adjourned for any reason, could it be reallocated to the Crown court bench division at a…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)I am just trying to get some clarification about when a jury trial “has started”. If a jury trial is listed on a day but the case is adjourned, it does not go ahead. Cases can be…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCost of Heating OilA constituent got in touch who had been in hospital over the winter and then in a care home while he convalesced. He finally got home and is now having to pay for carers twice a…15 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fourth sitting)The Minister may have misunderstood my point. If person A and person B have committed the exact same offence—they might have done it a day apart, in the same place, in the same…14 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fourth sitting)The Minister is making an impassioned plea for trying to equalise the system. Does she not share my concern about the Government’s proposals? Person A could be accused of sexual…14 Apr 2026