Contributions
562 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fourth sitting)I will give way to the Minister.14 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fourth sitting)I thank the Minister for rather politely encouraging me to come towards the end of my speech. I will finish by addressing the idea that somehow, because something does not happen…14 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fourth sitting)Of course, the Minister made that point—in her view, this is about thresholds. Whether we want to call it an argument about thresholds, and whichever part of history we want to…14 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fourth sitting)In an attempt to resolve a debate that is not immediately mine, I will give way to the shadow Minister.14 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fourth sitting)I thank the hon. Member for paying attention to my speech and staying with me on this. Fairly obviously, I do not think that the Criminal Bar Association is always right, but I do…14 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fourth sitting)Once again, I agree with the shadow Minister. If the Government genuinely want to address the backlog, the answer lies in the other 179 recommendations that Sir Brian Leveson…14 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fourth sitting)I accept the Minister’s statement to the extent that it is a statement of fact of people’s evidence. To address the issue of taking cases out of one court to give to another,…14 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fourth sitting)I thank the hon. Gentleman for his point.14 Apr 2026HANSARD Public Baths and LidosIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Efford. I congratulate the hon. Member for Peterborough (Andrew Pakes) on securing this important debate. Across the United…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (First sitting)But jury trials are not the principal reason. Sir Brian Leveson: No, no, I do not and have never blamed jury trials at all. The reason is that the complexity has changed. Pace,…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (First sitting)Q Victims say that they want to see greater diversity in the criminal justice system, and I agree with them. Which group of people is more diverse: juries, the British public or…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (First sitting)Q So do the changes in the Bill reduce diversity in the criminal justice system? Dame Vera Baird: Not in the slightest. I assume you know that 73% of people who are entitled to a…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (First sitting)Q But we do agree that people with more diverse backgrounds elect jury trials and that option is being removed for them. Dame Vera Baird: Seventy-three per cent of people offered…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (First sitting)I am asking the questions.25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (First sitting)Q May I ask for a clarification? Is Charlotte on her own in her views? Is she the only person who holds the views she has expressed? Dame Vera Baird : Of course not, and I did not…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (First sitting)Q Thank you very much for sharing these very powerful experiences to help all of us here make better decisions. I would like to direct my questions not to the criminal court…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (First sitting)Q But the law is really clear. Section 1(1) of the Children Act 1989 says that “the child’s welfare shall be the court’s paramount consideration.” That is already there. Section…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (First sitting)Q Why was it possible to get through two trials a day in the ’70s, but it is not now? Sir Brian Leveson: There are lots of reasons.25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (First sitting)Q My point is that bar is already there. The Children Act starts with it—it is in section 1(1). I do not need to say this, but absolutely every death, particularly where the state…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q As a former family solicitor, I want to focus my questions on the proposal to remove the presumption that involvement by a parent in a child’s life is in the child’s best…25 Mar 2026