Contributions
747 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDJury TrialsI beg to move an amendment, to leave out from “House” to end and insert: “believes that the Government inherited a justice system on the brink of collapse with a record and rising…07 Jan 2026HANSARDJury TrialsMy hon. Friend is right: at the heart of the considerations that we must make as we bring our justice system, reformed and rebuilt, into the 21st century, are victims. This is all…07 Jan 2026HANSARDThird-party Litigation FundingI would like to inform the House that the Government intend to take action to mitigate the impact of the 2023 Supreme Court judgment in PACCAR and implement proportionate…17 Dec 2025HANSARDCourt BacklogsMy hon. Friend raises a number of incredibly important points. Behind each and every one of those 80,000 cases in the backlog is a victim, as well as someone who is accused who…16 Dec 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsWorkers must receive the awards to which they are entitled. The case that my hon. Friend raises demonstrates the need to strengthen enforcement. The Government will take that up…16 Dec 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsI met Andrew Turner, who is a tireless campaigner; we were embarking on the work that is necessary to support families like his, and those that he represents. I have personally…16 Dec 2025HANSARDMandatory MediationMediation saves people time, money and stress. It can also help to reduce court delays and save the taxpayer money. Mandatory mediation for small money claims is now well…16 Dec 2025HANSARDMandatory MediationThe right hon. Member raises a really good point. Such delays are depriving our businesses of productivity and the ability to resolve disputes sooner. The successes we are seeing…16 Dec 2025HANSARDMandatory MediationI welcome my hon. Friend’s experience in this area. I would be happy to meet him to discuss that important subject.16 Dec 2025HANSARDStrategic Lawsuits against Public ParticipationStrategic lawsuits against public participation, otherwise known as SLAPPs, are an abuse of the legal process and pose a threat to democracy. The Government recognise the profound…16 Dec 2025HANSARDStrategic Lawsuits against Public ParticipationI welcome the right hon. Member’s question. We are actively considering where we can further extend the definition of SLAPPs to those that range beyond economic crime. Obviously,…16 Dec 2025HANSARDMagistratesOur magistrates are the backbone of local justice, and I thank every magistrate the length and breadth of the country who gives their time to deliver that justice. In return, we…16 Dec 2025HANSARDMagistratesI agree with my hon. Friend’s point. I was glad to visit Barnet court in my constituency, which has newly reopened after a year. I noticed what many who cross the threshold into…16 Dec 2025HANSARDMagistratesWe keep our court estate and the assessment of need under constant review. I would be very happy for the hon. Gentleman to write to me so that we can look into the provision in…16 Dec 2025HANSARDCourt BacklogsThe Government inherited a justice system in crisis. Whether for a family experiencing family breakdown, small business owners trying to resolve contractual disputes or victims of…16 Dec 2025HANSARDCourt BacklogsI am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this shocking case. I am aware of it and I will be writing to her on the particulars of it. It graphically demonstrates precisely why…16 Dec 2025HANSARDCourt BacklogsThe hon. Gentleman is right that the crumbling and decaying state of our court estate has become a metaphor for the justice system that we inherited from the previous Government.…16 Dec 2025HANSARDCourt BacklogsI think the hon. Lady is referring to the sentencing powers and the proposal to increase them, rather than the wait time. The fact is that our magistrates court is an efficient…16 Dec 2025HANSARDRestriction of Jury TrialsIf the right hon. Member had attended earlier debates, he would know that I have been clear that the state’s obligation is to guarantee everybody who comes before the court a fair…08 Dec 2025HANSARDRestriction of Jury TrialsI can give my hon. Friend the assurance that the Under-Secretary of State and I are working incredibly hard. This is central to our Government’s mission to halve violence against…08 Dec 2025