Contributions
470 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)The amendment would add to proposed new section 74C of the Senior Courts Act, which concerns matters that must be taken into account when determining allocation in cases that are…16 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)That does not concern honesty.16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fifth sitting)I do agree. It is important to remember which offences are kept in the magistrates court. There was discussion on Tuesday about burglaries and other offences making it to 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 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)Does the hon. Member agree that trying to divide our citizens into victims and defendants—the good and the bad—is not the best way forward? Defendants can themselves be victims,…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fifth sitting)The shadow Minister is talking about the north-west, and I am an MP for that region. The numbers are going down in Preston, Liverpool and even Bolton Crown courts, and one reason…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fifth sitting)I understand that in some of the more simple, routine cases of two or three days, but for trials lasting eight, nine or 10 weeks, I respectfully disagree that judges can come to…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fifth sitting)My hon. Friend is comparing apples and pears. Entry of a stadium that someone is not entitled to be in is not the same as being charged with stealing, even in minor instances,…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)I beg to move amendment 26, in clause 3, page 8, line 36, at end insert— “(h) fairness when considering the rights and circumstances of the defendant; (i) the interests of…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 (Fifth sitting)Yes, absolutely. At the moment, one of the beautiful things we have is that the judge determines sentence and directs on law, and the jury decides on the innocence or guilt of a…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fifth sitting)There has been a lot of discussion about the amendments. As I said on Tuesday, I will not be pushing my amendments to a vote. They are meant to be probing amendments, and I hope…16 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fourth sitting)I will not press these amendments to a vote, but I want them to be debated; they are probing amendments. Amendment 23 was tabled by me and my right hon. Friend the Member for…14 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fourth sitting)I beg to move amendment 23, in clause 3, page 5, line 25, leave out “the condition” and insert “one or more of the conditions”.14 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Third sitting)rose —14 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Fourth sitting)I rise to ask about two things. First, for clarification on what clause 2 is actually trying to do, because, like the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle, and…14 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Third sitting)Before I turn to the substance of this clause, I want to begin by setting out the perspective from which I speak. Before entering Parliament, I worked as a prosecutor for more…14 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Third sitting)The restriction on some cases not being tried in jury trials is because the Government feel that that will help to bring down the delay in court listing. I say to the Government…14 Apr 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals Bill (Third sitting)I understand the point that the Minister is making about victims and I am obviously concerned for them, but we are also talking about defendants’ rights. She will be aware that…14 Apr 2026