Criminal Justice and Courts Bill
The Criminal Justice and Courts Bill would make a number of changes to the criminal justice system including sentencing; cautions; prisoners’ release and recall; and the detention of young offenders. It would also reform court proceedings and costs; establish a new system of strict liability in contempt proceedings; create new offences for juror misconduct; make changes to the conduct and funding of judicial review claims; and amend the law on extreme pornography.
The Criminal Justice and Courts Bill had its first reading in the House of Commons on 5 February 2014. Its second reading is expected on Monday 24 February. It is Bill 169 of 2013-14. The Bill has five parts and has eight schedules, covering:
• Criminal justice changes, including sentencing, cautions, and prisoners’ release and recall;
• Secure colleges for young offenders;
• Possession of extreme pornographic images;
• Courts and tribunal changes, including contributions towards court costs from convicted criminals;
• New provisions on contempt of court by the media and misconduct by jurors;
• Changes to the conduct and funding of judicial review claims