Contributions
747 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q The point about the pace at which the trial moves is an issue of contention. Some people say that having judge-alone for the same type of case will not save time compared with a…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q Other Committee members want to come in, but I want to ask you about fairness and, importantly, the perceived fairness and confidence that communities have in the system. On my…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q Coupled with the procedural safeguards—things like the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and what have you, which we all think are a good thing—that driver of demand is not…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q It would be helpful for the Committee to understand the impact that the delays, which I think we all agree are intolerable, are having on policing generally. If you could speak…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q The independent review of the criminal courts referred to the genesis of the crisis that we are in. It has been driven by covid and cuts to spending and investment, but another…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q Thank you for being here, Mr Flury. You have clearly mentioned that certainty on uncapped sitting days is hugely valuable to the system. You have mentioned a number of the areas…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q You have mentioned a number of ways in which HMCTS is pursuing greater efficiencies in the Crown court. Can you share with the Committee the work that HMCTS is doing with regard…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q I would like to ask questions of the panel in relation to the practicality of what is being proposed, but also the principle. This is a question for all of you. Do you accept…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q That is the point that I want to alight on. Lord Burnett, you were part of the Times crime and justice commission, which produced its report in 2025. The state of play now is…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)No, that is not what is in the Bill. Mr Goldstone, I noticed you were nodding. Do you want to come in? Clement Goldstone: I had the advantage of listening with interest to the…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q I, too, have questions for the IfG and I agree—thank you very much for both your reports, which are incredibly helpful. As you have just acknowledged and as you acknowledge on…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q You have proposed that thesis, and I will come to that in a moment. You make the point about the disruption that might be caused by bringing in changes, but you also make the…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q Do you agree with me, on that major productivity driver that we need to address, that it will take years before we see that productivity gain? Cassia Rowland: It does need to be…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q But not in anything like the numbers that we would need to address this issue. Cassia Rowland: No, it is not what you would need, but you also have to take it into account that…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q There is no disagreement between us on the fact that we need to drive greater productivity and we want to get back to a higher target. I think where the disagreement comes is on…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Thank you. Cassia Rowland: We are always banging the drum for more back office and admin staff at the IfG. I worry that some of these reform programmes will move productivity in…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q I do not want to hog the microphone, but I want to understand something about APPEAL and JUSTICE. We have had quite a lot of engagement, particularly with JUSTICE—there was a…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Q Is the same thing true for APPEAL? Emma Torr: Yes, but you have to understand that if you—25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)Yes, you do provide services to victims. Emma Torr: We provide services to individuals who have been wrongfully convicted and unfairly sentenced. You could classify people like…25 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Second sitting)I would not disagree with that for one second.25 Mar 2026