Skip to main content

Proceeding contribution from Paulette Hamilton (Labour) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 10 March 2026. It occurred during Debate on bill on Courts and Tribunals Bill.


Courts and Tribunals Bill

I absolutely agree. That does back up what I am saying.

I am not suggesting that our judiciary is biased, but perception matters, so I ask the Minister for two specific assurances. First, the Bill contains no clear statutory review, and there is no start or end date. Clause 3 allows the new provisions to be brought into force by regulation with a three-month minimum lead-in time, but beyond that, scrutiny is absent. I welcome that the Justice Secretary has announced a review. Can the Minister confirm the exact timeframe for that review? When will it begin and, crucially, when will it end?

Secondly, if there is to be a review, I urge the Minister to make its scope explicit. Will the Minister commit today that any review will break down data by ethnicity? We need to know if this new system is leading to disproportionate outcomes for ethnic minority defendants.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
782 c263 
Session
2024-26
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Courts Juries Evidence Family proceedings Magistrates Parental responsibility Reform Tribunals Victims Witnesses Sexual offences Trials Video recordings Independent Review of the Criminal Courts Central Criminal Court
Legislation
Courts and Tribunals Bill 2024-26 to 2026-27
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on hansard.parliament.uk