Contributions
470 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)Amendments 34 and 71 are probing amendments tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield Central (Abtisam Mohamed). I will not be asking for them to be put to a vote.…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Seventh sitting)I will, but first let me explain. We have enough time to get those people in, so that we can increase the sitting days and reduce the backlog.21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Seventh sitting)The Institute for Government also said that juries do not take up that much time—they save more time. The point is that, without too much difficulty, we could get the courts up…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Seventh sitting)In a moment. The main reason why the Government have cited is the backlog. What I am trying to say is that it is not the juries that cause the backlog. It is quite clearly the…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)Amendment 29 would insert into subsection (3) an additional ground for a lengthy or complex case to be tried without a jury in England or Wales, to require agreement by the…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Amendment proposed : 46, in clause 4, page 10, line 34, at end insert— “(3A) A court may not make an…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)On a note of clarification, I understand that Opposition Members have mentioned defendants cross-examining victims, but, in fact, the procedures have been changed. For sexual or…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)I understand that. It will just save me repeating the same thing again and again in support of each of the amendments, all of which concern clause 4. I thank the Committee for…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)I beg to move amendment 34, in clause 6, page 15, line 28, after “regulations” insert “made under the affirmative resolution procedure”.21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Seventh sitting)I entirely agree. The state of some of the courts in this country is sad. They are completely neglected, which creates a lot of challenges.21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Seventh sitting)That is absolutely correct. Of course, one of the reasons why some people left the criminal Bar is the fact that the legal aid funding was not great, but I assure Members that if…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)I will not press my amendment to a vote. In fact, Ms Butler, I notify you and the Committee that I am not asking to vote on any of my amendments.21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)I thank the Minister for her response. My amendments are short and easily identifiable. I think the offences I have suggested should be included within the categories of certain…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)Could I have a little guidance, Ms Butler? Amendment 29 goes hand in hand with amendments 30 to 33. Can I cover those all in one go, instead of repeating the same speech in…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)As I said, my amendments are probing amendments. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Seventh sitting)I agree with the hon. Member. I want to set out why we have a backlog and what we can do. Everybody has talked about various things that we could do, such as triaging the cases…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Eighth sitting)I thank the hon. Lady for that intervention. I could go on and on explaining how evidence is presented, but all I will say from my years of experience—not just in the CPS, but in…21 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Jardine. Amendment 25 relates to the retrospective allocation of cases to the Crown court bench division. I am asking that…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fifth sitting)I was giving the example of TDA and theft legislation. I was talking about offences involving dishonesty, such as theft and burglary or defrauding someone. Even producing a…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)I beg to move amendment 25, in clause 3, page 5, line 38, at end insert— “(7) The preceding provisions on allocation for trial without a jury do not apply to cases where a…16 Apr 2026