Contributions
747 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)I did say that.16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)It is not just me saying that; Sir Brian Leveson and the independent review of the criminal courts take that view, as did the three senior judges we heard from in Committee, who…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)I will not stray into judicial discretion about how they would do this, but I think that that is highly unlikely. One is assuming that the prosecution’s facts in their case…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)I appreciate that the Opposition disagree with what we have decided to do in this legislation. There is no specific route of appeal to challenge the mode-of-trial allocation…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)If, at a PTPH, a judge makes an error of law, that is amenable to judicial review. Full stop.16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)Let me begin by making it absolutely clear that the deployment of judicial resource is properly a matter for the independent judiciary. Under proposed new sections 74A to 74D of…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)Let me intervene, because the omission was certainly not deliberate. I am trying to make progress, for the sake of the Committee, but the hon. Member has fairly put the question.…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)In fairness to the hon. Gentleman, and so that we can make progress, if he gives me a list of those cases at the end of the day, I will come back and give him chapter and verse on…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)I thank the hon. Member for Chichester for tabling amendment 19. I reiterate how grateful we are to Sir Brian Leveson and his team for their thorough review, which has directly…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)As ever, my hon. Friend raises a very good point. Overall in the country, 14% of our magistrates are drawn from black and minority ethnic communities. The picture is not bad in…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton South and Walkden, who is no longer in her place, and the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle for their amendments. I will begin with…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)Under the provisions, where a jury trial has started, it cannot be reallocated to the CCBD.16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)What circumstances does the hon. Member envisage would trigger that reallocation? The allocation has been made—it has been allocated to a jury trial. She is right that it has not…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)What I am seeking to be clear on is that when we are talking about the trial being commenced—a perfectly good question—I am saying that if the trial has started and there has been…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)I will seek, as best I can, to clarify why judges sitting alone should have full Crown court sentencing powers consistent with the recommendations of the independent review of…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)Just on that point—as unlikely and rare a scenario as I anticipate it would be—would the hon. Member accept that that sentencing decision could be subject to appeal?16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fifth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Huq. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton South and Walkden and the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle for their…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fifth sitting)As I have said consistently throughout this debate, we regard jury trials as a cornerstone of British justice. They are part of our legal culture, for all the reasons that Members…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Third sitting)I have visited lots and lots of courts.14 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fourth sitting)As I think I am hearing from the Opposition, given that clause 3 is really meaty and has lots of aspects and that, I suspect, all hon. Members, including myself, have prepared on…14 Apr 2026