Contributions
1,092 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Extradition (Provisional Arrest) Bill [Lords]As my hon. Friend knows very well, changed arrangements now with the European Union allow this country to conduct itself with fresh ideas and fresh considerations. But it is…22 Jun 2020HANSARD Extradition (Provisional Arrest) Bill [Lords]I am very pleased to hear the hon. Gentleman say that and it does not come as any surprise to me. The Government are steadfast in their determination to ensure that officers, upon…22 Jun 2020HANSARD Extradition (Provisional Arrest) Bill [Lords]It will not change the process of extradition, but it will mean that police officers will potentially be able to arrest more quickly because they will be able to act when they…22 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Government Support for Law FirmsI am grateful for my hon. Friend’s question, and we will certainly take on board what he says. Body cameras are of course an increasingly used piece of evidence. This does, in…04 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Government Support for Law FirmsThe hon. Lady asks an important question about support for law firms during the outbreak, and the CPS has made changes to its systems for paying fees to advocates to help support…04 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Virtual HearingsSometimes alternative mechanisms are in place. For example, remote hearings can take place using more than one courtroom, and it is sometimes possible for hearings to take place…04 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Virtual HearingsThe hon. Lady is absolutely right to raise that point, which applies, as she says, to vulnerable defendants as well as witnesses—to all participants in these proceedings. Each…04 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Virtual HearingsMy hon. Friend is right to ask about the backlog and I am concerned about it. It is inevitable that there will be a backlog. Almost everything has been disrupted by this awful…04 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Virtual HearingsI thank my hon. Friend for that very important question. The CPS is working closely with the Courts and Tribunals Service and interpreters to ensure that victims, witnesses and…04 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Virtual HearingsPrior to the covid-19 outbreak, CPS lawyers had participated in only a handful of audio and video hearings. I am now pleased to say that since 2 April, CPS prosecutors have…04 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Virtual HearingsThe CPS will and needs to engage in evaluation exercises on this subject with partners as part of its future working programme to assess the impact of video hearings. There is a…04 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Virtual HearingsI thank the hon. Gentleman for that question. I am pleased to say that the CPS is not bereft of resources. In fact, £85 million was sent to the CPS before this crisis broke out,…04 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Virtual HearingsI do not agree with the premise of the hon. and learned Lady’s question. The fact of the matter is that she is seeking herself to politicise the situation. This is not a partisan…04 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Virtual HearingsVulnerable witnesses are entitled to a range of special measures already, which are being utilised and are still in operation during this outbreak, including screens to prevent…04 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Government Support for Law FirmsWe are supporting the legal aid system, as we always have done. The reality is that we are expediting outstanding fee schemes where payments need to be made more quickly than…04 Jun 2020HANSARDPro Bono WorkAs one of the Government’s pro bono champions, I am proud to support the valuable work provided by the legal and pro bono sectors. I regularly engage with pro bono stakeholders to…28 Apr 2020HANSARDPro Bono WorkYes, increasing numbers of lawyers at all levels are already undertaking pro bono work, as my hon. Friend knows, because they recognise the truth—that it makes a real difference…28 Apr 2020HANSARDPro Bono WorkThe Government continue to prioritise legal aid for the matters that need it most—where people’s life or liberty is at stake, where they are at risk of serious physical harm or…28 Apr 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Civil LibertiesI am very pleased that the hon. Gentlemen is supportive of the contact tracing app. It is very important because everyone will benefit from the app. If enough people with…28 Apr 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Civil LibertiesI welcome the hon. Lady to her place. Stakeholder engagement in this matter has been crucial, and continues to be. We have been consulting not only the ethics advisory board for…28 Apr 2020