Statement on the publication of the first report of the Justice Committee, Courts and Tribunals Bill, (HC 192).

Statement on the publication of the first report of the Justice Committee, Courts and Tribunals Bill, (HC 192).

I thank the Backbench Business Committee for making time for this statement. The Courts and Tribunals Bill was introduced in February as a response to the Crown court crisis. There were over 80,000 outstanding cases as of December 2025, with some trials being listed into 2030. That harms victims, defendants...

I thank the Backbench Business Committee for making time for this statement. The Courts and Tribunals Bill was introduced in February as a response to the Crown court crisis. There were over 80,000 outstanding cases as of December 2025, with some trials being listed into 2030. That harms victims, defendants...

I put it on the record that I voted for an alternative report that I felt better reflected my concerns, but I accept that the report is a fair reflection of the Committee’s view.

Given that the last recruitment drive for magistrates failed to deliver the much-needed uplift at that point,...

I put it on the record that I voted for an alternative report that I felt better reflected my concerns, but I accept that the report is a fair reflection of the Committee’s view.

Given that the last recruitment drive for magistrates failed to deliver the much-needed uplift at that point,...

The hon. Member is right to mention that there was a dissenting report, which was not approved by the Committee. Other members may wish to raise that issue. From my point of view, it was reassuring that the analysis in both reports was very similar. I hope that I correctly...

The hon. Member is right to mention that there was a dissenting report, which was not approved by the Committee. Other members may wish to raise that issue. From my point of view, it was reassuring that the analysis in both reports was very similar. I hope that I correctly...

My hon. Friend will know that there has been quite a bit of opposition to having judge-only trials. Given that only 1% of the judiciary are black, does he agree that it is now even more urgent to look at how the judiciary are appointed? Something appears to be seriously...

My hon. Friend will know that there has been quite a bit of opposition to having judge-only trials. Given that only 1% of the judiciary are black, does he agree that it is now even more urgent to look at how the judiciary are appointed? Something appears to be seriously...

My hon. Friend is an assiduous member of the Committee. In the same week that the Committee published this report, we published our report on the pre-appointment hearing for the new Judicial Appointments Commission chair. We feel strongly that the Government need to look at judicial appointments and progression, because...

My hon. Friend is an assiduous member of the Committee. In the same week that the Committee published this report, we published our report on the pre-appointment hearing for the new Judicial Appointments Commission chair. We feel strongly that the Government need to look at judicial appointments and progression, because...

I too voted for the minority report, mainly because I am particularly concerned that the Government are going much further than the Leveson report. On judge-only trials, if magistrates’ sentencing powers are increased to 24 months, it is not impossible that cases with sentences of up to two and a...

I too voted for the minority report, mainly because I am particularly concerned that the Government are going much further than the Leveson report. On judge-only trials, if magistrates’ sentencing powers are increased to 24 months, it is not impossible that cases with sentences of up to two and a...

The hon. Lady is also an assiduous member of the Committee, and I appreciate what she said about important respects in which the Government, without evidencing the reasons, have departed from Leveson—for example, on whether magistrates should sit with judges in the bench division. She makes a good point: because...

The hon. Lady is also an assiduous member of the Committee, and I appreciate what she said about important respects in which the Government, without evidencing the reasons, have departed from Leveson—for example, on whether magistrates should sit with judges in the bench division. She makes a good point: because...

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his recommendations. Many are specific to England and Wales, but could be helpful for us in Northern Ireland. I always ask this question, because it is important that it be put on record: has the Committee suggested that the recommendations could be helpful to...

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his recommendations. Many are specific to England and Wales, but could be helpful for us in Northern Ireland. I always ask this question, because it is important that it be put on record: has the Committee suggested that the recommendations could be helpful to...

I rely on the hon. Gentleman to attend these statements, so that he can make that point, as he has done during every Justice Committee statement on the Floor of the House. He is right that, even though the Bill will apply in England and Wales, the lessons can be...

I rely on the hon. Gentleman to attend these statements, so that he can make that point, as he has done during every Justice Committee statement on the Floor of the House. He is right that, even though the Bill will apply in England and Wales, the lessons can be...

Letter dated 08/06/2026 from Sarah Sackman MP to Courts and Tribunals Bill Committee Chairs regarding the Courts and Tribunals Bill committee debates: clarification of points raised on clauses 8-16: definition of 'substantial probative value' and 'proper evidential basis', reasons for departing from Law Commission's recommendations, accompaniment of the witness while giving evidence, exclusion of persons from court, and editing of video recorded cross-examination and re-examination. 4p.

Letter dated 08/06/2026 from Sarah Sackman MP to Courts and Tribunals Bill Committee Chairs regarding the Courts and Tribunals Bill committee debates: clarification of points raised on clauses 8-16: definition of 'substantial probative value' and 'proper evidential basis', reasons for departing from Law Commission's recommendations, accompaniment of the witness while...

Clauses 8 to 20 discussed with Schedule 3 and amendments and new clauses. Clause 8 agreed to. Clause 9, amendment 68 withdrawn. Clauses 9 to 12 agreed to. Clause 13, amendment 70 withdrawn. Clauses 13 to 16 agreed to. Clause 17, amendment 14 negatived on division (3 to 9). Clauses 17 to 20 agreed to. Schedule 3, Government amendments 72 to 96 agreed to. Schedule 3, as amended, agreed to. Committee adjourned. Written evidence reported to the House.

Clauses 8 to 20 discussed with Schedule 3 and amendments and new clauses. Clause 8 agreed to. Clause 9, amendment 68 withdrawn. Clauses 9 to 12 agreed to. Clause 13, amendment 70 withdrawn. Clauses 13 to 16 agreed to. Clause 17, amendment 14 negatived on division (3 to 9). Clauses...

Clause 7 and Schedule 2 discussed with amendments. Clause 7 agreed to on division (9 to 5). Schedule 2, amendment 17 negatived on division (5 to 8). Schedule 2 agreed to. Clause 8, amendment 67 withdrawn. Clause 8 under consideration when the Committee adjourned.

Clause 7 and Schedule 2 discussed with amendments. Clause 7 agreed to on division (9 to 5). Schedule 2, amendment 17 negatived on division (5 to 8). Schedule 2 agreed to. Clause 8, amendment 67 withdrawn. Clause 8 under consideration when the Committee adjourned.

Lords report stage. Amendment 5 agreed to on division (273 to 180). Amendment 10 agreed to on division (257 to 174). Amendment 16 agreed to on division (252 to 171). Amendment 20 agreed to on division (216 to 170). Amendment 26 agreed to on division (189 to 157). Amendment 27 agreed to. Bill, as amended, ordered to be printed (HL Bill 176).

Lords report stage. Amendment 5 agreed to on division (273 to 180). Amendment 10 agreed to on division (257 to 174). Amendment 16 agreed to on division (252 to 171). Amendment 20 agreed to on division (216 to 170). Amendment 26 agreed to on division (189 to 157). Amendment 27...

Moved by

Baroness Brinton

1: Clause 3, page 5, line 40, leave out from “offender”)” to end of line 1 on page 6 and insert “for any sexual offence in relation to children, including online offences,”

Member’s explanatory statement

This amendment lowers the threshold at which the restrictions in Clause 3 can apply.

Moved by

Baroness Brinton

1: Clause 3, page 5, line 40, leave out from “offender”)” to end of line 1 on page 6 and insert “for any sexual offence in relation to children, including online offences,”

Member’s explanatory statement

This amendment lowers the threshold at which the restrictions in Clause 3 can apply.

My Lords, I thank the Minister and her officials for the helpful meetings between Committee and Report and for the correspondence. I have retabled my amendment from Committee, which would place restrictions on parental responsibility, as Amendment 1, and signed Amendments 2 and 3 from the noble Lord, Lord Meston,...

My Lords, I thank the Minister and her officials for the helpful meetings between Committee and Report and for the correspondence. I have retabled my amendment from Committee, which would place restrictions on parental responsibility, as Amendment 1, and signed Amendments 2 and 3 from the noble Lord, Lord Meston,...

My Lords, I will speak to Amendments 2 and 3, which were laid by the noble Lord, Lord Meston, who apologises for being unable to be in the House today. Rather courageously and dangerously, he has asked me to present the two amendments in his name. I shall do my...

My Lords, I will speak to Amendments 2 and 3, which were laid by the noble Lord, Lord Meston, who apologises for being unable to be in the House today. Rather courageously and dangerously, he has asked me to present the two amendments in his name. I shall do my...

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Brinton, for her Amendment 1, which addresses the thresholds proposed in the Bill. As she knows, we on these Benches have similarly expressed concern about the proposed threshold. This restricts the effect of Clause 3 to offenders sentenced to four years or...

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Brinton, for her Amendment 1, which addresses the thresholds proposed in the Bill. As she knows, we on these Benches have similarly expressed concern about the proposed threshold. This restricts the effect of Clause 3 to offenders sentenced to four years or...

My Lords, the Government appreciate that this group of amendments is driven by a desire to safeguard the children who are, quite rightly, at the centre of these difficult and sensitive cases. As I said in Committee, this aim is one I share.

Amendment 2, in the names of the noble...

My Lords, the Government appreciate that this group of amendments is driven by a desire to safeguard the children who are, quite rightly, at the centre of these difficult and sensitive cases. As I said in Committee, this aim is one I share.

Amendment 2, in the names of the noble...