Contributions
466 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fourth sitting)The shadow Minister is clearly articulating his confusion, which I share. I believe that clause 2 is at odds with the rest of clauses 1 to 8, because it does the opposite of what…14 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fourth sitting)Does the shadow Minister agree that to try to compare the CPS with, for example, the Criminal Bar Association is nonsense because the CPS is a non-ministerial Department? As the…14 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 2026HANSARDSouthport InquiryI thank the Home Secretary for advance sight of her statement. It is truly heartbreaking to know that there were so many missed opportunities to stop the Southport attack. My…13 Apr 2026HANSARDSEND Provision and ReformMy hon. Friend mentions under-resourcing. At West Sussex county council, the department just put an answerphone message on its system saying, “We are overwhelmed. We cannot take…13 Apr 2026HANSARDSEND Provision and ReformDoes the hon. Lady agree that there is so much untapped potential in the parents who are currently trapped at home trying to support their children who are not being supported…13 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Lord Burnett, would you say the same? Lord Burnett of Maldon: I was going to make the observation that Sir Richard just made about the very low level of appeals from the…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q I have a quick follow-up question, based on your earlier comments. Do you believe that a large part of the confidence in the Canadian model is the right to elect? Doug Downey: I…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q Thank you, Claire. Can I just acknowledge that children who are yet to go through the family courts are safer because of you and your tireless campaigning over many years? I…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (First sitting)Q Hello, Sir Brian. My name is Jess Brown-Fuller. I am the MP for Chichester and the justice spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats. I will rattle through a couple of questions so…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q Thank you. At some point, I would love to talk you through my amendments, which suggest fundamental reforms but not by curtailing the right to a jury trial. This is probably…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q Thank you. The victims in the previous session spoke about a necessary change in culture in the criminal system, which I think is a shared view across all the parties…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q I have a quick question for Cassia. The Government proposals rely on the magistrates court taking on a significant amount of additional work and, importantly, sentencing powers.…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q That is helpful. What sentence can a judge sitting alone give, and are there particular cases that will be heard with a jury? Doug Downey: It is a great range. Let me answer…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (First sitting)Q I appreciate that—thank you. It was a question for you, Charlotte, about the shock that you experienced when you tried to request the sentencing remarks. Is that correct? You…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q Thank you. I have a question for Emma about appeals. Excuse my ignorance, but my understanding is that, if you are appealing from a magistrates court, you already have to have…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (First sitting)Q Do you believe that the two parts of the review were commissioned in the right order? Sir Brian Leveson: That is an interesting question. I have long since believed that there…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q Thank you all for being here. It is very helpful to have your views as part of today’s evidence gathering. Do any of you share concerns that there is a lower level of legal aid…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q Thank you; that is helpful. This is a question for all of you: what risks do you perceive arising from the proposed removal of the automatic right to appeal from the magistrates…25 Mar 2026