Courts and Tribunals Bill 2024-26

None 69

Clause 1, page 4, line 15, at the end insert— “(12) In section 19 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (decision as to allocation), after subsection (3)(b) insert— “(c) whether it would be in the interests of justice for the offence to be tried on indictment””

None 70

Clause 26, page 35, line 35, at end insert— “(5) Regulations under subsection (3) may not bring into force sections 1 to 2 until the Government has increased the upper and lower thresholds for legal aid in the magistrates’ court.”

Opposition Amendment 1

Page 1, line 4, leave out Clause 1

Opposition Amendment 2

Page 4, line 16, leave out Clause 2

Government Amendment 23

Page 5, line 12, leave out Clause 3

Opposition Amendment 4

Page 10, line 5, leave out Clause 4

Opposition Amendment 6

Page 14, line 7, leave out Clause 5

Opposition Amendment 7

Page 15, line 23, leave out Clause 6

Opposition Amendment 8

Page 17, line 20, leave out Clause 7

Opposition Amendment 5

Page 36, line 2, leave out Schedule 1

Opposition Amendment 9

Page 38, line 9, leave out Schedule 2

Government Amendment NC23

To move the following Clause—
“Independent review
(1) The Lord Chancellor must appoint one or more persons to review, and report to the Lord Chancellor on, the following matters—
(a) whether any of the relevant criminal justice provisions has created or exacerbated any differences in treatment or in outcomes as between—
(i) defendants of different racial groups (within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010), or
(ii) defendants of different socio-economic status;
(b) any other matter specified in the appointment that relates to the effect of the relevant criminal justice provisions (or any of them).
(2) The “relevant criminal justice provisions” are—
(a) sections 1 and 2;
(b) Part 6A of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (as inserted by section 4);
(c) any regulations that are made by virtue of section 6(1) and provide for the general limit in a magistrates’ court to be greater than 12 months;
(d) sections 108(2A) and 108A to 108R of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (as inserted by Schedule 2);
(e) paragraphs 5, 10, 13 and 15 of Schedule 2.
(3) The Lord Chancellor—
(a) must appoint the reviewer or reviewers before the end of the period of six months beginning with the relevant day (see subsection (10));
(b) may appoint different persons to review, and report on, different matters relating to the effect of the relevant criminal justice provisions (or any of them).
(4) A person appointed to be a reviewer must be a person appearing to the Lord Chancellor to be independent of the Lord Chancellor.
(5) The Lord Chancellor must arrange for every reviewer to provide the Lord Chancellor with—
(a) an interim report, and
(b) a final report.
(6) The interim report must be provided before the end of the period of two years beginning with the relevant day.
(7) The final report must be provided before the end of the period of five years beginning with the relevant day (but may not be provided before the end of the period mentioned in subsection (6)).
(8) A report under this section may include such recommendations (if any) as the person making the report considers appropriate.
(9) The Lord Chancellor must—
(a) publish every report provided under this section, and
(b) lay a copy of it before Parliament.
(10) In this section—
“defendant” means a person charged with, or convicted of, an offence in England and Wales;
“the relevant day” means the earliest day on which any of the relevant criminal justice provisions comes into force for any purpose (ignoring the effect of section 26(1)(b));
“reviewer” means a person appointed under subsection (1).”

This new clause would require the Lord Chancellor to appoint one or more persons to carry out an independent review of the effect of the changes to the criminal justice system made by clauses 1 to 7 of the Bill.

Opposition Amendment NC19

To move the following Clause—
“Commencement of Part 1: Independent Reports
(1) Sections 1 to 7 of this Act may not come into force unless a draft of regulations providing for their commencement has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.
(2) The Lord Chancellor may not lay a draft of regulations under subsection (1) unless they have first laid before Parliament a report, produced by an independent reviewer, based on published Crown Court data, establishing that—
(a) delays attributable to trial by jury are a primary cause of delays to cases being heard in the Crown Court; and
(b) all possible alternative measures that could reasonably be implemented in criminal courts in England and Wales have been so implemented and found by the independent reviewer not to have reduced the Crown Court backlog.
(3) Alternative measures under subsection (2)(b) may include—
(a) increased funding for sitting days,
(b) holding two trials per day in specified court rooms, and
(c) developing and implementing specialist courts to hear cases relating to sexual offences and domestic abuse.
(4) The Lord Chancellor must appoint the independent reviewer to produce reports under this section.
(5) A person may not be appointed as the independent reviewer if they are a Minister of the Crown, a civil servant in the Ministry of Justice, or an officer of His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service.
(6) A report under subsection (2) must be published without redaction, alongside its supporting data, at least three months before a draft of regulations is laid under subsection (1).
(7) Sections 1 to 7 expire 12 months after coming into force unless a further report under subsection (2) is laid and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament prior to the end of that period.”

This new clause requires an independent report demonstrating that jury trials are a primary cause of Crown Court delays and that alternative remedies have failed before sections 1 to 7 can take effect by affirmative resolution of both Houses.

Opposition Amendment NC20

To move the following Clause—
“Court service providers: performance
(1) HM Courts and Tribunals Service must make provision for the collection of data where a Crown Court has reported that a trial has been—
(a) adjourned,
(b) vacated, or
(c) delayed by more than 30 mins
due to the failure of a court service provider.
(2) Court service providers under subsection (1) include—
(a) prisoner escort and custody services;
(b) language and interpretation services; and
(c) video-link and information technology services,
and any other private company that provides a service to a court.
(3) The Secretary of State must publish an annual report (a “court contract performance report”) setting out—
(a) the number of trials or hearings delayed due to failures by private service providers; and
(b) an assessment of the impact of such delays on the backlog of cases in the Crown Court.”

This new clause would require all new contracts for court-related services to include a performance-related penalty clause for cases where a failure related to those services impacts the completion of proceedings.

Opposition Amendment NC21

To move the following Clause—
“Impact of sections 1 to 6 on domestic abuse victims
(1) The Secretary of State must, within six months of the passing of this Act, publish and lay before Parliament an assessment of the impact of sections 1 to 6 on the experiences and treatment, within the courts, of victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
(2) The impact assessment published under this section must include an assessment of levels of uptake of relevant training among trial judges on the experiences of domestic abuse victims and survivors.”

This new clause would require the Government to assess the impact of the Bill’s provisions on jury trials on victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

None NC22

To move the following Clause—
“Immunity from suit: conduct of police officers in preparation for criminal court proceedings
(1) Except while acting as witnesses, no immunity from suit applies to acts or omissions by police officers where these occur in preparation for criminal court proceedings. This includes—
(a) the fabrication, concealment, improper alteration or destruction of evidence;
(b) conduct connected to criminal court proceedings involving dishonesty, bad faith, or negligence;
(c) the reckless or deliberate disclosure, in preparation for criminal court proceedings, of confidential information relating to victims, witnesses, or vulnerable persons; and
(d) breaches of duties owed under the Human Rights Act 1998.
(2) The Secretary of State may by regulation make further provision under this section.
(3) Regulations made under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.”

This new clause would restrict immunity from civil suit for police officers in relation to certain conduct in preparation for criminal court proceedings.

None NC24

To move the following Clause—
“Determination of domestic abuse allegations and related presumptions
(1) There is a rebuttable presumption that any reluctance or refusal by a child to spend time with a party against whom the child, or a party representing the child, has made allegations of domestic abuse constitutes a reasonable and justified response to the domestic abuse.
(2) The presumption in subsection (1) may be rebutted only where the accused party demonstrates, on the balance of probabilities, that the child’s reluctance or refusal cannot be reasonably attributed to the domestic abuse.”

This new clause provides that, in family court, where a child refuses or is reluctant to spend time with one party as a result of an allegation against that party of domestic abuse against the child, the court must presume the reluctance or refusal is reasonable.

Opposition Amendment NC25

To move the following Clause—
“Expiry of sections 1 to 7
(1) Sections 1 to 7 of this Act expire three months after the date on which the condition in subsection (2) is met.
(2) The condition is that the number of cases awaiting trial in the Crown Court has been below pre-pandemic level in each of the previous four quarterly reporting periods.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) the number of cases awaiting trial in the Crown Court is that which is calculated by HM Courts and Tribunals Service.”

This new clause sunsets sections 1 to 7 of this Act so that they will no longer be in force once the court backlog has been resolved.

Opposition Amendment NC26

To move the following Clause—
“Unduly lenient sentences scheme: application to the magistrates’ courts
(1) Section 35 of the Criminal Justice Act 1998 is amended as follows.
(2) In subsection (1)(a) after “Crown Court” insert “, or the magistrates’ court where the sentence is in respect of an either way offence,”.”

This new clause would ensure that those affected by any case that was triable either-way before this Act was passed shall still be subject to the unduly lenient sentence scheme.

Opposition Amendment NC27

To move the following Clause—
“Review of jury composition
(1) Within six months of the passing of this Act, the Secretary of State must publish and lay before Parliament a review of the methods used to determine the composition of juries.
(2) The review under this section must include an assessment of whether there are appropriate safeguards in place to prevent verdicts being returned which are influenced by jurors’—
(a) political views,
(b) religious beliefs, or
(c) other demographic characteristics,
in a way that conflicts with the interests of justice.
(3) If a review under this section determines that there are not sufficient safeguards in place, the Secretary of State must publish proposals aimed at introducing sufficient safeguards.”

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to undertake a review of jury composition, with a view to avoiding juries returning verdicts influenced by their politics, religion or other demographic characteristics.

None 47

Clause 1, page 3, line 20, at end insert “except where subsection (10) applies.
(10) Where—
(a) an offence is triable either way;
(b) the court considers that, if convicted, the accused would be likely to receive a sentence of imprisonment of more than 12 months but not more than three years;
(c) the accused is of good character; and
(d) the accused has not previously been convicted of an offence,
the accused may elect to be tried on indictment.”

This amendment preserves the right of a defendant of good character with no previous convictions to elect Crown Court trial where the likely sentence is more than 12 months but not more than three years.

Government Amendment 3

Page 5, line 12, leave out Clause 3

This amendment would remove clause 3 (trial on indictment without a jury: general rule for allocation) from the Bill.

Opposition Amendment 21

Clause 3, page 5, leave out line 27 and insert—
“(4) The trial is to be conducted without a jury in any other case only if—
(a) the prosecution has made a written application to the court requesting that the trial be conducted without a jury, and
(b) the defendant has given explicit written consent to be tried without a jury.
(4A) Where the prosecution does not make an application under subsection (4)(a), or the defendant does not give consent under subsection (4)(b), the trial is to be conducted with a jury.”

This amendment states that a case can only be tried without a jury following an application from the prosecution and where the defendant gives written consent.

Opposition Amendment 51

Clause 3, page 9, line 23, leave out subsection (4) and insert—
“(4) Where a court has determined in accordance with section 74A that a trial is to be conducted without a jury, the court cannot pass a sentence of imprisonment or detention of more than three years on a person convicted of an offence.
(4A) Where a person is convicted of an offence and the court considers that the appropriate sentence is more than three years’ imprisonment or detention, the court must refer the case for retrial by jury.”

This amendment prevents a judge sitting alone from sentencing a defendant to more than three years in prison, and requires that if this is the likely sentence, the case must be remitted for trial by jury.

Opposition Amendment 52

Clause 4, page 10, line 16, leave out “one or more of the offences is an offence” and insert “all of the offences are”

This amendment would limit judge-only trials to situations where all of the offences are listed in Schedule 3ZA.

Opposition Amendment 53

Clause 4, page 10, line 34, at end insert—
“(3A) A court may not make an order under this section if it considers that it is the interests of natural justice for the defendant to have a trial with a jury.”

This amendment prevents a judge-only trial in complex and lengthy cases where it would be in the interests of natural justice for the defendant to be tried with a jury.

Opposition Amendment 54

Clause 4, page 11, line 1, leave out from “is” to end of line 2, and insert “a right of appeal against a decision to make an order under this section on the grounds of natural justice
(5A) where an appeal is made under subsection (5), it must not be heard by the judge who made the original determination.”

This amendment would add a right for defendants to appeal against the decision for a judge-only trial for lengthy and complex cases.

Government Amendment 24

Clause 4, page 11, leave out lines 7 to 9 and insert—
“(8) For further provision about trials conducted without a jury by virtue of this section, see section 42D.”

This amendment is consequential on amendment 25.

Opposition Amendment 57

Clause 4, page 12, line 27, leave out subsection (5)(a)

This amendment would prevent the court unilaterally overriding a reason to issue a revocation order so that a case allocated for judge-only trial under this section could be tried by jury.

Opposition Amendment 55

Clause 4, page 13, line 11, at end insert—
“(g) the interests of natural justice for the defendant.”

This amendment would ensure that the interests of natural justice for the defendant are relevant to the decision to revoke an order for a judge-only trial for the offences listed in Schedule 1.

Government Amendment 25

Clause 4, page 13, line 22, at end insert—
“42D Further provision about trials without a jury
(1) This section applies where, by virtue of section 42A, a trial is conducted without a jury.
(2) The court is to have all the powers, authorities and jurisdiction which the court would have had if the trial had been conducted with a jury (including power to determine any question and to make any finding which would be required to be determined or made by a jury).
(3) Except where the context otherwise requires, any reference in an enactment, or an instrument made under an enactment, to a jury, the verdict of a jury or the finding of a jury is to be read, in relation to a trial conducted without a jury, as a reference to the court, the verdict of the court or the finding of the court.
(4) Where the court convicts or (as the case may be) acquits a defendant, the court must give a judgment which states the reasons for the conviction or acquittal.
(5) The judgment must be given at, or as soon as reasonably practicable after, the time of the conviction or acquittal.
(6) Where the court convicts the defendant, the reference in section 18(2) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 (notice of appeal or of application for leave to appeal to be given within 28 days from date of conviction etc) to the date of the conviction is to be read as a reference to the date of the judgment given for the purposes of subsection (4).”

This amendment is consequential on amendment 23. It replicates the provision currently made by clause 5(4) of the Bill, which as a result of the omission of clause 3 would apply only in relation to trials conducted without a jury in accordance with the new Part 6A of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 to be inserted by clause 4 (complex or lengthy cases).

Opposition Amendment 56

Clause 4, page 13, line 30, leave out “trial beginning on or” and insert “cases whose first hearing in the magistrates’ court takes place”

This amendment prevents the provisions in section 4 coming into effect retrospectively.

Government Amendment 26

Clause 5, page 14, line 11, leave out from first “of” to end of line

This amendment is consequential on amendment 23.

Government Amendment 27

Clause 5, page 14, line 15, leave out subsections (2) to (4)

This amendment is consequential on amendment 23.

Opposition Amendment 59

Clause 5, page 14, line 36, leave out subsection (5) and insert—
“(5) The judgment must be given at the time of conviction, except where an adjournment is necessary for preparing—
(a) pre-sentence reports,
(b) psychiatric or medical reports,
(c) victim personal statements, or
(d) further legal advice relating to sentencing.”

This amendment would ensure that judgments are handed down on conviction in all but the circumstances covered by the amendment.

Opposition Amendment 60

Clause 5, page 15, line 8, at end insert—
“(5B) It is only permissible not to give judgment at the time of conviction if adjournment is necessary for—
(a) pre-sentence reports
(b) psychiatric or medical reports
(c) victim personal statements, or
(d) further legal advice about sentence.”

This amendment would ensure that judgments are handed down on conviction in all but the circumstances covered by the amendment.

Opposition Amendment 61

Clause 5, page 15, line 16, at end insert—
“(4B) It is only permissible not to give judgment at the time of conviction if adjournment is necessary for—
(a) pre-sentence reports,
(b) psychiatric or medical reports,
(c) victim personal statements, or
(d) further legal advice about sentence.”

This amendment would ensure that judgments are handed down on conviction in all but the circumstances covered by the amendment.

Government Amendment 28

Clause 5, page 15, line 17, leave out subsection (7)

This amendment is consequential on amendment 23.

Opposition Amendment 62

Clause 6, page 15, line 37, at end insert—
“(1A) In paragraph 14A(3), for “negative” substitute “affirmative””

This amendment ensures regulations to extend magistrates’ courts sentencing powers must be approved by both houses of Parliament.

Government Amendment 29

Clause 8, page 18, line 10, after “evidence” insert “(see subsection (2B))”

This amendment is a minor drafting change which would add, after the reference to “important explanatory evidence” in new subsection (2)(b) of section 41 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, a signpost to new subsection (2B) of that section (which defines that term).

Government Amendment 30

Clause 8, page 18, leave out lines 32 to 35

This amendment is consequential on amendment 31.

Government Amendment 31

Clause 8, page 18, line 39, at end insert—
“(2AA) The court may refuse leave by virtue of subsection (2)(a) in relation to any evidence or question if it appears to the court that—
(a) the probative value of the evidence which the accused proposes to adduce, or which the question is intended to elicit (“the proposed evidence”), relies on a matter which is disputed by another party but which is not itself of substantial importance in the context of the case as a whole, and
(b) the extent of the additional evidence necessary to enable the court or jury properly to make a finding in respect of that matter would be disproportionate to the probative value of the proposed evidence.”

This amendment is intended to clarify that a court may refuse to admit evidence about a complainant’s sexual history under new section 41(2)(a) of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 if it considers that doing so would entail disproportionate consideration of collateral issues (commonly referred to as “satellite litigation”).

Government Amendment 32

Clause 10, page 23, line 1, leave out from “offence” to first “as” in line 2 and insert “—
(i) was not reported to the police or another investigating authority, or
(ii) was not so reported”

This amendment is intended to clarify that in new s.100A(6)(a) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (matters on the basis of which jury may not properly find complaint was false), the reference to a previously alleged sexual offence not having been reported as soon as reasonably practicable includes its not having been reported at all.

Opposition Amendment 67

Page 30, line 4, leave out Clause 17

This amendment would keep the rebuttable presumption of parental involvement being beneficial for the welfare of the child.

None 22

Clause 17, page 30, line 24, at end insert—
“(3) The Secretary of State must, within 18 months beginning on the day on which this Act receives Royal Assent, lay a report before Parliament on post-separation abuse in the context of decisions of courts under Children Act 1989.
(4) The report under subsection (3) must set out how post separation abuse is identified and understood in proceedings to which this clause relates.”

Government Amendment 33

Clause 25, page 35, line 8, leave out “Parts 1 and 2” and insert “the following provisions”

This amendment is consequential on amendment 35.

Government Amendment 34

Clause 25, page 35, line 9, at end insert “—
( ) Parts 1 and 2;”

This amendment is consequential on amendment 35.

Government Amendment 35

Clause 25, page 35, line 9, at end insert—
“( ) section (Independent review).”

This amendment would provide for NC23 to extend to England and Wales.

Government Amendment 36

Clause 25, page 35, line 14, leave out “this Part.” and insert “sections 21 to 24, this section, and sections 26 and 27.”

This amendment is consequential on amendment 35.

Opposition Amendment 20

Clause 26, page 35, leave out lines 29 and 30

This amendment is consequential on new clause (Commencement of Part 1: Independent Reports).

Government Amendment 37

Clause 26, page 35, line 31, at end insert—
“( ) section (Independent review) (independent review).”

This amendment would provide for NC23 to come into force two months after Royal Assent.

Opposition Amendment 48

Clause 26, page 35, line 33, at end insert—
“(3A) The Lord Chancellor may not make a statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (3) bringing sections 1 to 7 into force until the conditions in subsection (3B) are met.
(3B) The conditions are that—
(a) the Lord Chancellor has provided funding for at least 130,000 sitting days in the Crown Court in the financial year following the coming into force of this Act,
(b) HM Courts and Tribunals Service has made an assessment that the Crown Court has, so far as possible, used the allocation of sitting days provided under subsection (3B)(a), and
(c) the Lord Chancellor has made a statement to the House of Commons that the funding provided under subsection (3B)(a) has not reduced the number of cases pending trial in the Crown Court compared to the start of the financial year.”

This amendment prevents the provisions in sections 1 to 7 from coming into force until the Lord Chancellor has provided funding for 130,000 sittings days in the Crown Court; HMCTS has assessed that the Crown Court has used its allocation of sitting days; and the Lord Chancellor has made a statement to the House that this has not reduced the backlog.

Opposition Amendment 49

Clause 26, page 35, line 33, at end insert—
“(3A) The Lord Chancellor may not make a statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (3) bringing sections 1 to 7 into force until he has—
(a) undertaken a consultation on the potential benefits of introducing extended sitting hours in the Crown Court, and
(b) laid before Parliament a report on the outcome of the consultation.
(3B) The consultation under subsection (3A) must consider—
(a) potential rates of fees and renumeration for legal professionals and court staff working extended hours, and
(b) the availability of HM Courts and Tribunal Service staff.”

This amendment would ensure that sections 1 to 7 of the Act did not come into force until the Lord Chancellor had reviewed how to increase sitting hours in the Crown Court.

Opposition Amendment 50

Clause 26, page 35, line 33, at end insert—
“(3A) The Lord Chancellor may not make a statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (3) bringing section 7 into force until he has undertaken an assessment of the rate of upheld appeals on convictions and sentences handed down in the magistrates’ court in the previous two years.”

This amendment would prevent the restriction of right of appeal against magistrates’ court decisions until the Lord Chancellor has undertaken an assessment of how many of those appeals are successful.

Opposition Amendment 68

Clause 26, page 35, line 33, at end insert “subject to the provisions of subsection (3A)”
“(3A) The Lord Chancellor may not make regulations under subsection (3) relating to the sections set out under subsection (3B) until he has taken reasonable steps to increase Crown Court sitting capacity, including but not limited to—
(a) using buildings not currently in use as courts to hear cases where cells are not needed, and
(b) reducing lost sitting days as a result of late guilty pleas and prison transport delays.
(3B) The sections referenced in subsection (3A) are—
(a) Section 1 (Removal of right to elect trial on indictment);
(b) Section 2 (Written indication of guilty plea: removal of right to object to venue);
(c) Section 3 (Trial on indictment without a jury: general rule for allocation);
(d) Section 4 (Trial on indictment without a jury: complex or lengthy cases);
(e) Section 5 (Consequential amendments relating to sections 3 and 4);
(f) Section 6 (Increase in maximum custodial sentence in magistrates’ courts);
(g) Section 7 (Appeals from magistrates’ courts).”

This amendment would ensure that sections 1 to 7 of the Act could not be commenced until the Lord Chancellor has used alternative means to increase Crown Court sitting capacity.

Opposition Amendment 58

Schedule 1, page 38, line 3, leave out paragraph 20

This amendment prevents the Lord Chancellor adding further offences to the list in Schedule 1 by regulations.

None 46

Schedule 2, page 38, line 22, at end insert—
“(2A) After subsection (4) insert—
(4A) Nothing in this section applies to an appeal which may be brought as of right under section 108(2D).””

This amendment is consequential on amendment 45.

None 45

Schedule 2, page 38, line 22, at end insert—
“(2C) Subsection (2B) does not apply where—
(a) the appellant was convicted by a magistrates’ court;
(b) the appellant has not previously been sentenced to a term of imprisonment or detention for an offence; and
(c) having regard to the applicable sentencing guidelines, the offence or offences for which the appellant was convicted are offences for which the sentence imposed, or likely to be imposed, does not exceed 12 months’ imprisonment or detention.
(2D) Where subsection (2C) applies—
(a) an appeal under this section may be brought, and
(b) and no permission to appeal is required.
(2E) An appeal under subsection (2D) may be brought against—
(a) conviction;
(b) sentence; or
(c) both conviction and sentence.
(2F) For the purposes of subsection (2C)(b), a sentence which is suspended, but which is a sentence of imprisonment within the meaning of the applicable sentencing legislation, shall be treated as a sentence of imprisonment.
(2G) Where an appeal is brought under subsection (2D) and (2E), the appeal shall be treated as an appeal brought as of right and the provisions of this Part relating to permission to appeal shall not apply.”

This amendment preserves the existing automatic right of appeal from the magistrates’ court for defendants of good character with no previous convictions where the applicable sentencing guidelines indicate that the offence is likely to attract a sentence of imprisonment of 12 months or less.

Opposition Amendment 63

Schedule 2, page 39, line 16, leave out from “if” to end of line 18 and insert “the defendant has made one”

This amendment would require the Crown Court to allow an appeal if the defendant makes one.

Opposition Amendment 64

Schedule 2, page 42, line 15, leave out “magistrates’ court” and insert “jury in the Crown Court”

This amendment would allow the Crown Court to order a retrial by jury in the event that it allows an appeal against a conviction or sentence in the magistrates’ court.

Opposition Amendment 65

Schedule 2, page 47, line 13, leave out “magistrates’ court” and insert “jury in the Crown Court”

This amendment would allow the Crown Court to order a retrial by jury in the event that it allows an appeal against a conviction or sentence in the magistrates’ court.

Opposition Amendment 66

Schedule 2, page 49, line 36, leave out from “Court” to end of line 39 and insert “must allow an appeal under section 108 if the defendant makes one.”

This amendment would remove the provision limiting appeals to specific grounds and instead ensure the Crown Court allows appeals if one is made.

Government Amendment 38

Schedule 2, page 52, line 7, at end insert—
“(3A) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a)(i), a summary trial begins when the court begins to hear evidence from the prosecution at the trial.
(3B) Subsection (1)(a) does not apply in relation to any proceedings conducted in accordance with section 16A (trial by single justice on the papers).”

Section 108S of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, inserted by Schedule 2, provides that rules of court must provide for the audio recording of trials and sentencing hearings in magistrates’ courts. The amendment would clarify what constitutes a trial for these purposes, and exclude proceedings conducted under the single justice procedure (which take place in the absence of the parties and without hearing oral evidence).

Government Amendment 39

Schedule 2, page 54, line 19, at end insert—
“4A (1)Section 109 (abandonment of appeal) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (1)—
(a)in the words before paragraph (a), after “appeal” insert “, or an application for permission to appeal, against a decision”;
(b)in paragraph (a), for “against whose decision the appeal was brought” substitute “by which that decision was given”;
(c)in paragraph (b), after “appeal”, in both places it occurs, insert “or application”.
(3)In subsection (2), after “abandon an appeal” insert “, or an application for permission to appeal,”.”

This amendment would have the effect that, where a person abandons an application for permission to appeal against a decision of a magistrates’ court, the court is able to take steps to enforce its decision, and may order the person to pay any costs incurred by the other party to the application.

Government Amendment 40

Schedule 2, page 54, line 19, at end insert—
“4B After section 109 insert—
“109A Refusal of permission to appeal
(1) This section applies where the Crown Court refuses a person’s application for permission to appeal against a decision of a magistrates’ court.
(2) The magistrates’ court may issue process for enforcing that decision, subject to anything already suffered or done under it by the person.
(3) Subsection (2) is without prejudice to any power of the Crown Court to enforce the decision.””

This amendment would have the effect that, where the Crown Court refuses a person’s application for permission to appeal against a decision of a magistrates’ court, the magistrates’ court may take steps to enforce that decision.

Government Amendment 41

Schedule 2, page 54, line 19, at end insert—
“4C (1)Section 113 (bail on appeal or case stated) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (1), after “notice of appeal” insert “, or notice of an application for permission to appeal,”.
(3)In subsection (2)(a), for the words from “notice of appeal” to the end substitute “notice as mentioned in subsection (1), such time and place as the Crown Court may require”.”

Section 113(2) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 provides that, where a person is granted bail by a magistrates’ court pending an appeal to the Crown Court, the person must surrender to the Crown Court at the appeal hearing. As there may not be a hearing if permission to appeal is refused, this amendment would enable the Crown Court to determine when and where the person must surrender: for example, the Crown Court could require the person to surrender to the magistrates’ court.

Government Amendment 42

Schedule 3, page 96, line 35, leave out “Chancellor of the High Court” and insert “President of the Business and Property Division”

This amendment, amendment 43 and amendment 44 are consequential on the renaming of the Chancery Division, and the resultant renaming of the head of that division as “President of the Business and Property Division”, by the Senior Courts (Transfer, Amendment and Consequential Provision) Order 2026 (S.I. 2026/723).

Government Amendment 43

Schedule 3, page 96, line 36, leave out “Chancellor of the High Court” and insert “President of the Business and Property Division”

See the explanatory statement for amendment 42.

Government Amendment 44

Schedule 3, page 97, line 8, leave out “Chancellor of the High Court” and insert “President of the Business and Property Division”

See the explanatory statement for amendment 42.

Opposition Amendment NC1

To move the following Clause—
“Report on the effect of the Act on prosecution of rape and serious sexual offences
(1) The Lord Chancellor must commission a report on the effect of the provisions of this Act on proceedings of cases involving rape and serious sexual offences.
(2) The matters the report must consider include—
(a) the effect of the Act on the time taken to dispose of cases;
(b) the effect of the Act on witness participation in proceedings; and
(c) the effect of the Act on the experience of victims during proceedings.
(3) The report must make recommendations to improve each of the matters set out in subsection (2).
(4) Recommendations may include—
(a) recommendations about how the Act is implemented, and
(b) recommendations about further provision necessary to improve each matter.
(5) In this section, serious sexual offences are such offences as the Crown Prosecution Service may from time to time specify.
(6) Within 12 months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Lord Chancellor must lay before Parliament—
(a) a copy of a report under this section,
(b) the Lord Chancellor’s response to recommendations made by that report.”

This new clause would require a report on the effect of the provisions of the Bill on the progression of RASSO cases, and require the Lord Chancellor to respond to these recommendations.

Opposition Amendment NC2

To move the following Clause—
“Fast-track courts for rape and serious sexual offences
(1) The Lord Chancellor must by regulations make provision for specialist court capacity for cases involving rape and serious sexual offences (“RASSO”).
(2) Regulations under this section must include provision for the prioritised listing and progression of RASSO cases.
(3) The Lord Chancellor must take reasonable steps for any necessary judicial, administrative and support resources to be made available to operate such court capacity.”

This new clause would require the Lord Chancellor to ensure that specialist court capacity is made available for the fast-tracking of RASSO cases.

Opposition Amendment NC3

To move the following Clause—
“Extended sitting hours for Crown Court Proceedings
(1) The Lord Chancellor may, by order, designate specific Crown Court locations or individual court rooms as extended capacity courts.
(2) Proceedings in any court designated under subsection (1) must consist of—
(a) a morning session, commencing at 09:00 and concluding at 13:00; and
(b) an afternoon session, commencing at 14:00 and concluding at 18:00.
(3) Any court designated under subsection (1) will not have a limit on the number of cases that can be heard on the same day.”

This new clause would restructure the court sitting day to introduce a morning and afternoon session, to allow two different cases to be heard in the same courtroom on a given day.

Opposition Amendment NC4

To move the following Clause—
“Review of the Feasibility of Two Court Sittings per day
(1) The Lord Chancellor must, within 12 months beginning on the day on which this Act comes into force, lay before Parliament an independent report into the feasibility of conducting two trials per day in designated court rooms (“the Scheme”).
(2) The scheme would allow for proceedings in a Crown Court to consist of—
(a) a morning session, commencing at 09:00 and concluding at 13:00; and
(b) an afternoon session, commencing at 14:00 and concluding at 18:00.
(3) A report under subsection (1) must assess the impact of the scheme—
(a) on the efficiency and timeliness of court proceedings;
(b) on the availability of judges, legal practitioners, and court staff;
(c) the potential impact on defendants, victims, and witnesses; and
(d) the cost and resource implications of the scheme.
(4) The Lord Chancellor must, within three months of the laying of the report under subsection (1), publish a response.
(5) The response must include proposals for a pilot scheme based on the findings of the report including the proposed scope and duration of any such pilot.”

This new clause requires the Lord Chancellor to commission and lay before Parliament an independent report on the feasibility of introducing two court sittings per day in designated courtrooms, including an assessment of its impact on efficiency, resources, and court users, and to set out the Government’s intended next steps.

Opposition Amendment NC5

To move the following Clause—
“Targets for Backlog Reduction
(1) The Lord Chancellor must, within six months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, set and publish annual targets for the reduction of the Crown Court backlog in England and Wales.
(2) There must be a target for the—
(a) overall reduction of the Crown Court backlog in England and Wales, and
(b) reduction of the backlog in each HMCTS region.
(3) The Lord Chancellor must lay before Parliament an annual report on progress against these targets.
(4) Any report under subsection (3) must include any steps taken to address the failure to meet the targets.”

This new clause requires the Lord Chancellor to set and publish targets for reducing court backlogs and to report annually to Parliament on progress.

Opposition Amendment NC6

To move the following Clause—
“Victim-led Intensive Case Management
(1) The Lord Chancellor must, within six months of the passing of this Act, lay before Parliament a strategy for the implementation of Victim-Led Intensive Case Management in proceedings in the criminal courts (“The Strategy”).
(2) The strategy must outline steps to prioritise the experience of victims in relation to proceedings in the criminal courts.”

This new clause would require the Lord Chancellor to lay before Parliament a strategy for victim-led case management in relation to criminal court proceedings.

Opposition Amendment NC7

To move the following Clause—
“Judicial training: anti-discrimination
(1) Any member of the judiciary who may be assigned to proceedings for a trial on indictment without a jury must have access to training on matters relating to discrimination against individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds.
(2) Training provided under subsection (1) must cover—
(a) the identification and prevention of racial bias, including unconscious bias, and
(b) the impact of discrimination on access to justice and judicial outcomes.
(3) The Lord Chancellor must by regulations specify how often members of the judiciary must undertake such training.
(4) The Lord Chancellor must lay an annual report before Parliament on the provision and uptake of training provided under this section.”

This new clause requires the provision of training for the judiciary focused on discrimination against ethnic minorities, including racial bias and its impact on judicial decision-making.

Opposition Amendment NC8

To move the following Clause—
“Judicial training: violence against women and girls
(1) Any member of the judiciary who may be assigned to proceedings for a trial on indictment without a jury must have access to training on matters relating to violence against women and girls.
(2) Training provided under subsection (1) must cover—
(a) the nature and dynamics of violence against women and girls, including—
(i) domestic abuse,
(ii) sexual violence,
(iii) coercive control, and
(iv) so-called honour-based abuse;
(b) best practice in hearing cases involving violence against women and girls, including ensuring fair and trauma-informed proceedings.
(3) The Lord Chancellor must by regulations specify how often members of the judiciary must undertake such training.
(4) The Lord Chancellor must lay an annual report before Parliament on the provision and uptake of training provided under this section.”

This new clause requires the provision of training for the judiciary focused on violence against women and girls.

Opposition Amendment NC9

To move the following Clause—
“Judicial training: domestic abuse
(1) Any member of the judiciary who may be assigned to proceedings for a trial on indictment without a jury must have access to training on matters relating to domestic abuse.
(2) Training provided under subsection (1) must cover—
(a) the nature and dynamics of domestic abuse, including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and economic abuse, as well as controlling or coercive behaviour;
(b) best practice in the management of cases involving domestic abuse, including ensuring fair and trauma-informed proceedings.
(3) The Lord Chancellor must by regulations specify how often members of the judiciary must undertake such training.
(4) The Lord Chancellor must lay an annual report before Parliament on the provision and uptake of training provided under this section.”

This new clause requires the provision of training for the judiciary focused on domestic abuse.

Opposition Amendment NC10

To move the following Clause—
“Pilot of trial allocation reforms
(1) The Lord Chancellor may not make regulations bringing sections 1 to 7 of this Act into force unless—
(a) he has first made arrangements for a pilot scheme for the provision of those sections in accordance with subsections (2) and (3),
(b) a statutory instrument containing regulations for the commencement of sections 1 to 7 of this Act has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
(2) A pilot scheme may—
(a) be for the purpose of trialling all provisions of sections 1 to 7 of this Act,
(b) be for such a period as the Lord Chancellor may by regulations specify, provided that the period does not exceed 24 months beginning with the day on which this section is brought into force,
(c) take place in at least one location in England and Wales as the Lord Chancellor may by regulations specify,
(d) apply to proceedings in the criminal courts as the Lord Chancellor may by regulations specify.
(3) Before the conclusion of the pilot scheme under subsection (2), the Lord Chancellor must—
(a) commission an independent review of the pilot scheme, and
(b) lay before Parliament a report on the assessment under paragraph (a).”

This new clause would require the Government to pilot the removal of the right to elect trial by jury before national implementation, and to report to Parliament on its impact.

Opposition Amendment NC11

To move the following Clause—
“Access to free court transcripts for victims
(1) Victims of criminal offences shall be entitled to receive, without charge, court transcripts of—
(a) judicial summings-up, and
(b) bail decisions and conditions,
which are relevant to their case.
(2) HM Courts and Tribunals Service must ensure that such transcripts are provided within 14 days of a request.
(3) The duty under subsection (1) shall apply irrespective of whether the victim gave evidence in the case.”

This new clause would give victims a right to receive, free of charge, court transcripts of judicial summings-up and bail decisions relevant to their case. It requires that transcripts be provided within 14 days of a request and clarifies that this right applies whether or not the victim gave evidence in the case.

Opposition Amendment NC12

To move the following Clause—
“Report on the effect of the Act on public trust and participation in the criminal justice system
(1) The Lord Chancellor must commission a report on the effect of the provisions of the Act on public trust and participation in the judicial system.
(2) A report under this section must—
(a) include consideration of the effect of the provisions of the Act on—
(i) witness participation;
(ii) the effect of these reforms on public confidence and trust in the criminal justice system; and
(iii) the effect of these provisions on BAME engagement with and trust of the criminal justice system,
(b) contain recommendations for further provision, or changes to delivery of provision under this Act, to increase the levels of each criterion set out in sub-paragraphs (2)(a)(i) to (2)(a)(iii).
(3) Within 12 months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Lord Chancellor must lay before Parliament—
(a) a copy of a report under this section,
(b) the Lord Chancellor’s response to recommendations made by that report.”

This new clause would require the Lord Chancellor to commission, lay, and respond to a report on the effect of the Bill on public trust in the criminal justice system.

Opposition Amendment NC13

To move the following Clause—
“Duty to provide trauma-informed training
(1) The Lord Chancellor must ensure that appropriate training is made mandatory for members of all court staff working in the criminal courts on best practice in relation to victims' trauma.
(2) Training under subsection (1) must include—
(a) the nature, prevalence, and impact of domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour, and rape and serious sexual offences (“RASSO”);
(b) the dynamics and psychological effects of trauma on parties and witnesses involved in proceedings;
(c) the identification and appropriate handling of cases involving domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour, and RASSO offences;
(d) the ways in which trauma may affect memory, communication, behaviour, and engagement with court proceedings;
(e) best practices for reducing retraumatisation within court and tribunals settings.
(3) Training provided under this section must—
(a) take place on initial appointment to a role within a court, and at regular intervals thereafter;
(b) reflect current best practice and be informed by up-to-date research and guidance; and
(c) be developed in consultation with appropriate experts, including specialist support organisations and persons with lived experience of abuse and trauma.
(4) The Lord Chancellor must keep the training under review and revise it as appropriate.
(5) The Lord Chancellor must publish guidance on the implementation of this section.”

This new clause would require the Lord Chancellor to ensure that members of the court staff working in the criminal courts receive mandatory, consistent training on trauma-informed practice to improve understanding of how trauma affects victims’ evidence, behaviour, and engagement with court proceedings.

Opposition Amendment NC14

To move the following Clause—
“Review of Efficiencies in the Criminal Justice System
(1) The Lord Chancellor must, within 24 months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed, conduct a review on the impact of the provisions of this Act on the efficiency of the criminal justice system.
(2) The review under subsection (1) must, in particular, consider the impact on the efficiency of the criminal justice system of—
(a) the provisions of this Act;
(b) the wider criminal justice system;
(c) the standard of delivery by court contract providers, including PECS contractors;
(d) the condition of the courts estate; and
(e) the use of technology.
(3) In considering “efficiency”, the review must consider the impact on—
(a) delays,
(b) backlogs, and
(c) the experience of victims and witnesses.
(4) The Secretary of State must lay a report on the review before Parliament.
(5) The report under subsection (4) must include recommendations for further legislative or administrative changes to improve the efficiency of the criminal justice system.”

This new clause requires the Secretary of State to review and report on whether the Act has improved the efficiency of the criminal justice system, including impacts on delays, backlogs, and the experience of victims and witnesses.

Opposition Amendment NC15

To move the following Clause—
“Expiry of sections 1 to 7 in specified circumstances
(1) The Lord Chancellor must lay before Parliament a report assessing the effectiveness of the provisions contained in sections 1 to 7 of this Act.
(2) A report under this section must be laid—
(a) within 24 months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, or
(b) within 24 months of the latest date on which any of sections 1 to 7 is commenced,
whichever is the later.
(3) The report must describe—
(a) any time saved in court as a result of the measures included in those sections;
(b) any change in the number of cases awaiting trial in the Crown Court since this Act was passed;
(c) the number of cases awaiting trial in the Crown Court at the time at which the report is prepared; and
(d) any other effect of the provisions of sections 1 to 7 on the criminal justice system.
(4) The report must provide a conclusion by the Lord Chancellor on whether the reforms have been effective in reducing the number of cases awaiting trial at Crown Court.
(5) Where the report concludes that the provisions have not been effective, the Lord Chancellor must make regulations providing for the immediate repeal of sections 1 to 7.
(6) Where the report concludes that the provisions are effective, the Lord Chancellor must make regulations making provision for repeal of sections 1 to 7 subject to the condition in subsection (8).
(7) The condition is that the number of cases awaiting trial in the Crown Court has in the opinion of the Lord Chancellor reduced to a sufficient extent.
(8) Regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.”

This new clause introduces a sunset clause requiring a report on the effectiveness of the provisions. If the report finds that the measures are not effective, the Secretary of State must bring forward regulations to repeal them. If the report finds that the measures are effective, the Secretary of State must set a deadline for their repeal and a return to fully jury trials.

Opposition Amendment NC16

To move the following Clause—
“Remote Court Participation: Strategy
(1) The Lord Chancellor must, within 12 months of the passing of this Act, lay before Parliament a strategy for the use of remote proceedings to reduce the case backlog (“the strategy”).
(2) The strategy must include—
(a) an assessment of the current use of remote proceedings;
(b) an evaluation of the impact of remote proceedings on the speed of case disposal and the overall reduction of the outstanding caseload;
(c) recommendations on how the principle of open justice can be upheld with the increased use of remote proceedings;
(d) criteria for determining the suitability of proceedings for different forms of remote participation; and
(e) provisions for the security, reliability, and resilience of digital systems used in remote proceedings.
(3) The Secretary of State must, at intervals of no more than 24 months following the laying of the strategy, lay before Parliament a report on progress made against the strategy.
(4) The progress report must consider—
(a) the extent to which the strategy has been implemented;
(b) the impact on the criminal case backlog, including any measures by which that impact has been assessed; and
(c) any further legislative or budgetary provisions to ensure the effectiveness of remote proceedings.
(5) For the purposes of this section, “remote proceedings” means any proceedings in which one or more participants attend by way of live video or audio link.”

This new clause requires the Lord Chancellor to publish a formal strategy for the use of remote proceedings to reduce the case backload in the criminal justice system.

Opposition Amendment NC17

To move the following Clause—
“Inspectorate of Criminal Court Administration
(1) The Lord Chancellor may appoint such number of inspectors of criminal court administration as he considers appropriate.
(2) Inspectors under this section are collectively known as “His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Criminal Court Administration” (“the Inspectorate”).
(3) The Lord Chancellor must appoint one of the persons so appointed to be His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Criminal Court Administration.
(4) The Lord Chancellor may make to or in respect of inspectors of court administration such payments by way of remuneration, allowances or otherwise as he may determine.
(5) It is the duty of the Inspectorate to inspect and report to the Lord Chancellor on—
(a) the administration and operation of the system that supports the carrying on of the business of—
(i) the Crown Court, and
(ii) the magistrates’ courts;
(b) the efficiency, effectiveness and accessibility of those courts and their services, having particular regard to the experience of witnesses and victims.
(6) Any report under subsection (5) must make recommendations to the Lord Chancellor in respect of subsection (5).
(7) The Lord Chancellor must lay before Parliament—
(a) any report under this section within one month of receiving it; and
(b) his response to the recommendations of a report within six months beginning on the day on which the report in question is laid.
(8) A response under subsection (7)(b) must describe—
(a) any action the Lord Chancellor proposes to take, and
(b) where the Lord Chancellor does not propose to take any action, a reason why he proposes not to take action.
(9) The Lord Chancellor may not issue any direction to the Inspectorate in relation to its duty under subsection (5).
(10) The Lord Chancellor may by regulations make further provision about the Inspectorate.”

This new clause establishes His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Criminal Court Administration as an independent statutory body responsible for inspecting and reporting on the administration of criminal courts, with a particular regard to the experience of victims and witnesses.

None NC18

To move the following Clause—
“Specialists courts for sexual offences and domestic abuse cases
(1) The Lord Chancellor must by regulations establish specialist courts for cases relating to sexual offences and domestic abuse.
(2) Any case heard in a court established under subsection (1) must be conducted with a jury and specialist judge.
(3) Additional guidance or directions may be formulated by the judiciary in relation to—
(a) the nature and dynamics of behaviour including—
(i) coercive control, and
(ii) honour-based abuse;
(b) best practice in hearing cases involving violence against women and girls, including ensuring fair and trauma-informed proceedings.
(4) Regulations under this section must make provision for such courts to have specialist facilities for alleged victims.
(5) The Lord Chancellor must take reasonable steps for any necessary resources for judicial, administrative and appropriately qualified legal support, including advisors, prosecution and defence, to be made available to operate such courts.
(6) Any case heard by a court established under subsection (1) must be subject to such considerations regarding—
(a) time limits for case preparation, and
(b) third party material review and disclosure,
as the Lord Chancellor may by regulations specify.
(7) Regulations in this section are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.”

This new clause would establish specialist courts for sexual offences and domestic abuse cases, with those cases heard by a specialist judge and a jury. It makes further provision including for victim support, and to prioritise cases where a defendant is bailed.

Opposition Amendment 17

Clause 3, page 6, line 25, at end insert—
“(4A) A trial conducted without a jury will be heard by one judge and two magistrates.”

This amendment implements the recommendation of the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts to have cases heard in the Crown Court Bench Division by a judge and two magistrates.

Opposition Amendment 16

Clause 3, page 9, line 17, leave out “no” and insert “a”

This amendment entitles a defendant to appeal against a judge’s decision to allocate the case for trial by judge alone.

Opposition Amendment 10

Clause 3, page 9, line 28, leave out subsections (2) to (4)

This amendment would prevent the provisions on trial on indictment without a jury applying retrospectively to cases where the defendant has elected trial by jury before these provisions become law.

Opposition Amendment 11

Clause 6, page 15, line 36, leave out lines 36 and 37

This amendment provides that magistrates’ sentencing powers cannot be increased beyond 12 months.

Opposition Amendment 19

Clause 6, page 15, line 37, at end insert—
“(1B) Regulations under this paragraph are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.”

This amendment would make changing the general limit on custodial sentence for an either-way offence in magistrates’ courts changeable by affirmative resolution only.

Opposition Amendment 18

Clause 6, page 17, line 18, at end insert—
“(9) After section 15 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, insert—
“15A Entitlement to Crown Court funding levels in certain proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court
(1) This section applies to criminal proceedings in a magistrates’ court where–
(a) an individual is charged with an either-way offence; and
(b) the court, having regard to the sentencing guidelines, considers it likely that a sentence of imprisonment exceeding 12 months will be imposed upon conviction.
(2) Where this section applies, any relevant representation order shall provide for remuneration at the same rates and under the same conditions as would apply if the proceedings were determined in the Crown Court.””

This amendment links legal aid funding to the potential severity of the sentence rather than the venue of the trial. It ensures that defendants facing more than 12 months' imprisonment receive Crown Court level funding, regardless of which court the case is heard in.

Opposition Amendment 12

Clause 17, page 30, line 24, at end insert—
“(3) The Lord Chancellor must, within six months of the commencement of this section, lay before both Houses of Parliament a report on the resources required to give full effect to the repeal of subsection 2A in Section 1 of the Children Act 1989.
(4) The report under subsection (3) must include—
(a) an assessment of the level of legal aid provision necessary to ensure that parties in child arrangements proceedings are able to obtain timely and effective—
(i) advice, and
(ii) representation,
particularly where allegations of domestic abuse or safeguarding concerns are raised;
(b) an evaluation of the capacity of the family courts, including—
(i) the number of judges,
(ii) court staff, and
(iii) available hearing time,
to undertake robust risk assessment and fact-finding processes in line with Practice Direction 12J;
(c) plans to address any shortfalls in judicial training, including—
(i) training relating to coercive control,
(ii) domestic abuse dynamics, and
(iii) child safeguarding,
(d) proposals for investment in the family court estate and technology to ensure—
(i) the repeal operates effectively, and
(ii) decisions are consistently grounded in the welfare and safety of the child.”

This amendment requires the Government to set out how the family courts and legal aid system will be resourced to give full effect to the repeal of the presumption of parental involvement.

Opposition Amendment 13

Clause 26, page 35, line 19, at end insert “, subject to the provisions of subsection (3A).
(3A) The Lord Chancellor may not make regulations under subsection (3) relating to the following sections until he has published a response to the recommendation of Part II of Independent Review of the Criminal Courts—
(a) Section 1 (Removal of right to elect trial on indictment);
(b) Section 2 (Written indication of guilty plea: removal of right to object to venue);
(c) Section 3 (Trial on indictment without a jury: general rule for allocation);
(d) Section 4 (Trial on indictment without a jury: complex or lengthy cases);
(e) Section 5 (Consequential amendments relating to sections 3 and 4);
(f) Section 6 (Increase in maximum custodial sentence in magistrates’ courts);
(g) Section 7 (Appeals from magistrates’ courts).”

This amendment would make the publication of the Government response to Part II of the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts a precondition of Clause 1 to 7 of this Bill coming into force.

Opposition Amendment 14

Clause 26, page 35, line 33, at end insert “, subject to the provisions of subsection (3A).
(3A) The Lord Chancellor may not make regulations under subsection (3) relating to the following sections until the pilot in accordance with section [pilot of trial allocation reforms] has been concluded—
(a) Section 1 (Removal of right to elect trial on indictment);
(b) Section 2 (Written indication of guilty plea: removal of right to object to venue);
(c) Section 3 (Trial on indictment without a jury: general rule for allocation);
(d) Section 4 (Trial on indictment without a jury: complex or lengthy cases);
(e) Section 5 (Consequential amendments relating to sections 3 and 4);
(f) Section 6 (Increase in maximum custodial sentence in magistrates’ courts);
(g) Section 7 (Appeals from magistrates’ courts).”

This amendment is consequential on NC10.

Opposition Amendment 15

Schedule 2, page 52, line 7, leave out “on payment of a fee” and insert “to victims of criminal offence without a fee within 14 days of a request”

This amendment would make magistrates’ court transcripts free for victims and requires that such transcripts are provided within 14 days of a request.

None NC18

To move the following Clause— “Specialists courts for sexual offences and domestic abuse cases (1) The Lord Chancellor must by regulations establish specialist courts for cases relating to sexual offences and domestic abuse. (2) Any case heard in a court established under subsection (1) must be conducted with a jury and specialist judge. (3) Additional guidance or directions may be formulated by the judiciary in relation to— (a) the nature and dynamics of behaviour including— (i) coercive control, and (ii) honour-based abuse; (b) best practice in hearing cases involving violence against women and girls, including ensuring fair and trauma-informed proceedings. (4) Regulations under this section must make provision for such courts to have specialist facilities for alleged victims. (5) The Lord Chancellor must take reasonable steps for any necessary resources for judicial, administrative and appropriately qualified legal support, including advisors, prosecution and defence, to be made available to operate such courts. (6) Any case heard by a court established under subsection (1) must be subject to such considerations regarding— (a) time limits for case preparation, and (b) third party material review and disclosure, as the Lord Chancellor may by regulations specify. (7) Regulations in this section are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.”

Opposition Amendment NC1

To move the following Clause— “Report on the effect of the Act on prosecution of rape and serious sexual offences (1) The Lord Chancellor must commission a report on the effect of the provisions of this Act on proceedings of cases involving rape and serious sexual offences. (2) The matters the report must consider include— (a) the effect of the Act on the time taken to dispose of cases; (b) the effect of the Act on witness participation in proceedings; and (c) the effect of the Act on the experience of victims during proceedings. (3) The report must make recommendations to improve each of the matters set out in subsection (2). (4) Recommendations may include— (a) recommendations about how the Act is implemented, and (b) recommendations about further provision necessary to improve each matter. (5) In this section, serious sexual offences are such offences as the Crown Prosecution Service may from time to time specify. (6) Within 12 months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Lord Chancellor must lay before Parliament— (a) a copy of a report under this section, (b) the Lord Chancellor’s response to recommendations made by that report.”

Opposition Amendment NC2

To move the following Clause— “Fast-track courts for rape and serious sexual offences (1) The Lord Chancellor must by regulations make provision for specialist court capacity for cases involving rape and serious sexual offences (“RASSO”). (2) Regulations under this section must include provision for the prioritised listing and progression of RASSO cases. (3) The Lord Chancellor must take reasonable steps for any necessary judicial, administrative and support resources to be made available to operate such court capacity.”

Opposition Amendment NC3

To move the following Clause— “Extended sitting hours for Crown Court Proceedings (1) The Lord Chancellor may, by order, designate specific Crown Court locations or individual court rooms as extended capacity courts. (2) Proceedings in any court designated under subsection (1) must consist of— (a) a morning session, commencing at 09:00 and concluding at 13:00; and (b) an afternoon session, commencing at 14:00 and concluding at 18:00. (3) Any court designated under subsection (1) will not have a limit on the number of cases that can be heard on the same day.”

Opposition Amendment NC4

To move the following Clause— “Review of the Feasibility of Two Court Sittings per day (1) The Lord Chancellor must, within 12 months beginning on the day on which this Act comes into force, lay before Parliament an independent report into the feasibility of conducting two trials per day in designated court rooms (“the Scheme”). (2) The scheme would allow for proceedings in a Crown Court to consist of— (a) a morning session, commencing at 09:00 and concluding at 13:00; and (b) an afternoon session, commencing at 14:00 and concluding at 18:00. (3) A report under subsection (1) must assess the impact of the scheme— (a) on the efficiency and timeliness of court proceedings; (b) on the availability of judges, legal practitioners, and court staff; (c) the potential impact on defendants, victims, and witnesses; and (d) the cost and resource implications of the scheme. (4) The Lord Chancellor must, within three months of the laying of the report under subsection (1), publish a response. (5) The response must include proposals for a pilot scheme based on the findings of the report including the proposed scope and duration of any such pilot.”

Opposition Amendment NC5

To move the following Clause— “Targets for Backlog Reduction (1) The Lord Chancellor must, within six months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, set and publish annual targets for the reduction of the Crown Court backlog in England and Wales. (2) There must be a target for the— (a) overall reduction of the Crown Court backlog in England and Wales, and (b) reduction of the backlog in each HMCTS region. (3) The Lord Chancellor must lay before Parliament an annual report on progress against these targets. (4) Any report under subsection (3) must include any steps taken to address the failure to meet the targets.”

Opposition Amendment NC6

To move the following Clause— “Victim-led Intensive Case Management (1) The Lord Chancellor must, within six months of the passing of this Act, lay before Parliament a strategy for the implementation of Victim-Led Intensive Case Management in proceedings in the criminal courts (“The Strategy”). (2) The strategy must outline steps to prioritise the experience of victims in relation to proceedings in the criminal courts.”

Opposition Amendment NC7

To move the following Clause— “Judicial training: anti-discrimination (1) Any member of the judiciary who may be assigned to proceedings for a trial on indictment without a jury must have access to training on matters relating to discrimination against individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds. (2) Training provided under subsection (1) must cover— (a) the identification and prevention of racial bias, including unconscious bias, and (b) the impact of discrimination on access to justice and judicial outcomes. (3) The Lord Chancellor must by regulations specify how often members of the judiciary must undertake such training. (4) The Lord Chancellor must lay an annual report before Parliament on the provision and uptake of training provided under this section.”

Opposition Amendment NC8

To move the following Clause— “Judicial training: violence against women and girls (1) Any member of the judiciary who may be assigned to proceedings for a trial on indictment without a jury must have access to training on matters relating to violence against women and girls. (2) Training provided under subsection (1) must cover— (a) the nature and dynamics of violence against women and girls, including— (i) domestic abuse, (ii) sexual violence, (iii) coercive control, and (iv) so-called honour-based abuse; (b) best practice in hearing cases involving violence against women and girls, including ensuring fair and trauma-informed proceedings. (3) The Lord Chancellor must by regulations specify how often members of the judiciary must undertake such training. (4) The Lord Chancellor must lay an annual report before Parliament on the provision and uptake of training provided under this section.”

Opposition Amendment NC9

To move the following Clause— “Judicial training: domestic abuse (1) Any member of the judiciary who may be assigned to proceedings for a trial on indictment without a jury must have access to training on matters relating to domestic abuse. (2) Training provided under subsection (1) must cover— (a) the nature and dynamics of domestic abuse, including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and economic abuse, as well as controlling or coercive behaviour; (b) best practice in the management of cases involving domestic abuse, including ensuring fair and trauma-informed proceedings. (3) The Lord Chancellor must by regulations specify how often members of the judiciary must undertake such training. (4) The Lord Chancellor must lay an annual report before Parliament on the provision and uptake of training provided under this section.”

Opposition Amendment NC10

To move the following Clause— “Pilot of trial allocation reforms (1) The Lord Chancellor may not make regulations bringing sections 1 to 7 of this Act into force unless— (a) he has first made arrangements for a pilot scheme for the provision of those sections in accordance with subsections (2) and (3), (b) a statutory instrument containing regulations for the commencement of sections 1 to 7 of this Act has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament. (2) A pilot scheme may— (a) be for the purpose of trialling all provisions of sections 1 to 7 of this Act, (b) be for such a period as the Lord Chancellor may by regulations specify, provided that the period does not exceed 24 months beginning with the day on which this section is brought into force, (c) take place in at least one location in England and Wales as the Lord Chancellor may by regulations specify, (d) apply to proceedings in the criminal courts as the Lord Chancellor may by regulations specify. (3) Before the conclusion of the pilot scheme under subsection (2), the Lord Chancellor must— (a) commission an independent review of the pilot scheme, and (b) lay before Parliament a report on the assessment under paragraph (a).”

Opposition Amendment NC11

To move the following Clause— “Access to free court transcripts for victims (1) Victims of criminal offences shall be entitled to receive, without charge, court transcripts of— (a) judicial summings-up, and (b) bail decisions and conditions, which are relevant to their case. (2) HM Courts and Tribunals Service must ensure that such transcripts are provided within 14 days of a request. (3) The duty under subsection (1) shall apply irrespective of whether the victim gave evidence in the case.”

Opposition Amendment NC12

To move the following Clause— “Report on the effect of the Act on public trust and participation in the criminal justice system (1) The Lord Chancellor must commission a report on the effect of the provisions of the Act on public trust and participation in the judicial system. (2) A report under this section must— (a) include consideration of the effect of the provisions of the Act on— (i) witness participation; (ii) the effect of these reforms on public confidence and trust in the criminal justice system; and (iii) the effect of these provisions on BAME engagement with and trust of the criminal justice system, (b) contain recommendations for further provision, or changes to delivery of provision under this Act, to increase the levels of each criterion set out in sub-paragraphs (2)(a)(i) to (2)(a)(iii). (3) Within 12 months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Lord Chancellor must lay before Parliament— (a) a copy of a report under this section, (b) the Lord Chancellor’s response to recommendations made by that report.”

Opposition Amendment NC13

To move the following Clause— “Duty to provide trauma-informed training (1) The Lord Chancellor must ensure that appropriate training is made mandatory for members of all court staff working in the criminal courts on best practice in relation to victims’ trauma. (2) Training under subsection (1) must include— (a) the nature, prevalence, and impact of domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour, and rape and serious sexual offences (“RASSO”); (b) the dynamics and psychological effects of trauma on parties and witnesses involved in proceedings; (c) the identification and appropriate handling of cases involving domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour, and RASSO offences; (d) the ways in which trauma may affect memory, communication, behaviour, and engagement with court proceedings; (e) best practices for reducing retraumatisation within court and tribunals settings. (3) Training provided under this section must— (a) take place on initial appointment to a role within a court, and at regular intervals thereafter; (b) reflect current best practice and be informed by up-to-date research and guidance; and (c) be developed in consultation with appropriate experts, including specialist support organisations and persons with lived experience of abuse and trauma. (4) The Lord Chancellor must keep the training under review and revise it as appropriate. (5) The Lord Chancellor must publish guidance on the implementation of this section.”

Opposition Amendment NC14

To move the following Clause— “Review of Efficiencies in the Criminal Justice System (1) The Lord Chancellor must, within 24 months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed, conduct a review on the impact of the provisions of this Act on the efficiency of the criminal justice system. (2) The review under subsection (1) must, in particular, consider the impact on the efficiency of the criminal justice system of— (a) the provisions of this Act; (b) the wider criminal justice system; (c) the standard of delivery by court contract providers, including PECS contractors; (d) the condition of the courts estate; and (e) the use of technology. (3) In considering “efficiency”, the review must consider the impact on— (a) delays, (b) backlogs, and (c) the experience of victims and witnesses. (4) The Secretary of State must lay a report on the review before Parliament. (5) The report under subsection (4) must include recommendations for further legislative or administrative changes to improve the efficiency of the criminal justice system.”

Opposition Amendment NC15

To move the following Clause— “Expiry of sections 1 to 7 in specified circumstances (1) The Lord Chancellor must lay before Parliament a report assessing the effectiveness of the provisions contained in sections 1 to 7 of this Act. (2) A report under this section must be laid— (a) within 24 months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, or (b) within 24 months of the latest date on which any of sections 1 to 7 is commenced, whichever is the later. (3) The report must describe— (a) any time saved in court as a result of the measures included in those sections; (b) any change in the number of cases awaiting trial in the Crown Court since this Act was passed; (c) the number of cases awaiting trial in the Crown Court at the time at which the report is prepared; and (d) any other effect of the provisions of sections 1 to 7 on the criminal justice system. (4) The report must provide a conclusion by the Lord Chancellor on whether the reforms have been effective in reducing the number of cases awaiting trial at Crown Court. (5) Where the report concludes that the provisions have not been effective, the Lord Chancellor must make regulations providing for the immediate repeal of sections 1 to 7. (6) Where the report concludes that the provisions are effective, the Lord Chancellor must make regulations making provision for repeal of sections 1 to 7 subject to the condition in subsection (8). (7) The condition is that the number of cases awaiting trial in the Crown Court has in the opinion of the Lord Chancellor reduced to a sufficient extent. (8) Regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.”

Opposition Amendment NC16

To move the following Clause— “Remote Court Participation: Strategy (1) The Lord Chancellor must, within 12 months of the passing of this Act, lay before Parliament a strategy for the use of remote proceedings to reduce the case backlog (“the strategy”). (2) The strategy must include— (a) an assessment of the current use of remote proceedings; (b) an evaluation of the impact of remote proceedings on the speed of case disposal and the overall reduction of the outstanding caseload; (c) recommendations on how the principle of open justice can be upheld with the increased use of remote proceedings; (d) criteria for determining the suitability of proceedings for different forms of remote participation; and (e) provisions for the security, reliability, and resilience of digital systems used in remote proceedings. (3) The Secretary of State must, at intervals of no more than 24 months following the laying of the strategy, lay before Parliament a report on progress made against the strategy. (4) The progress report must consider— (a) the extent to which the strategy has been implemented; (b) the impact on the criminal case backlog, including any measures by which that impact has been assessed; and (c) any further legislative or budgetary provisions to ensure the effectiveness of remote proceedings. (5) For the purposes of this section, “remote proceedings” means any proceedings in which one or more participants attend by way of live video or audio link.”

Opposition Amendment NC17

To move the following Clause— “Inspectorate of Criminal Court Administration (1) The Lord Chancellor may appoint such number of inspectors of criminal court administration as he considers appropriate. (2) Inspectors under this section are collectively known as “His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Criminal Court Administration” (“the Inspectorate”). (3) The Lord Chancellor must appoint one of the persons so appointed to be His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Criminal Court Administration. (4) The Lord Chancellor may make to or in respect of inspectors of court administration such payments by way of remuneration, allowances or otherwise as he may determine. (5) It is the duty of the Inspectorate to inspect and report to the Lord Chancellor on— (a) the administration and operation of the system that supports the carrying on of the business of— (i) the Crown Court, and (ii) the magistrates’ courts; (b) the efficiency, effectiveness and accessibility of those courts and their services, having particular regard to the experience of witnesses and victims. (6) Any report under subsection (5) must make recommendations to the Lord Chancellor in respect of subsection (5). (7) The Lord Chancellor must lay before Parliament— (a) any report under this section within one month of receiving it; and (b) his response to the recommendations of a report within six months beginning on the day on which the report in question is laid. (8) A response under subsection (7)(b) must describe— (a) any action the Lord Chancellor proposes to take, and (b) where the Lord Chancellor does not propose to take any action, a reason why he proposes not to take action. (9) The Lord Chancellor may not issue any direction to the Inspectorate in relation to its duty under subsection (5). (10) The Lord Chancellor may by regulations make further provision about the Inspectorate.”

Opposition Amendment 1

Page 1, line 4, leave out Clause 1

Opposition Amendment 2

Page 4, line 16, leave out Clause 2

Opposition Amendment 3

Page 5, line 12, leave out Clause 3

Opposition Amendment 17

Clause 3, page 6, line 25, at end insert— “(4A) A trial conducted without a jury will be heard by one judge and two magistrates.”

Opposition Amendment 16

Clause 3, page 9, line 17, leave out “no” and insert “a”

Opposition Amendment 10

Clause 3, page 9, line 28, leave out subsections (2) to (4)

Opposition Amendment 4

Page 10, line 5, leave out Clause 4

Opposition Amendment 6

Page 14, line 7, leave out Clause 5

Opposition Amendment 7

Page 15, line 23, leave out Clause 6

Opposition Amendment 11

Clause 6, page 15, line 36, leave out lines 36 and 37

Opposition Amendment 19

Clause 6, page 15, line 37, at end insert— “(1B) Regulations under this paragraph are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.”

Opposition Amendment 18

Clause 6, page 17, line 18, at end insert— “(9) After section 15 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, insert— “15A Entitlement to Crown Court funding levels in certain proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court (1) This section applies to criminal proceedings in a magistrates’ court where— (a) an individual is charged with an either-way offence; and (b) the court, having regard to the sentencing guidelines, considers it likely that a sentence of imprisonment exceeding 12 months will be imposed upon conviction. (2) Where this section applies, any relevant representation order shall provide for remuneration at the same rates and under the same conditions as would apply if the proceedings were determined in the Crown Court.””

Opposition Amendment 8

Page 17, line 20, leave out Clause 7

Opposition Amendment 12

Clause 17, page 30, line 24, at end insert— “(3) The Lord Chancellor must, within six months of the commencement of this section, lay before both Houses of Parliament a report on the resources required to give full effect to the repeal of subsection 2A in Section 1 of the Children Act 1989. (4) The report under subsection (3) must include— (a) an assessment of the level of legal aid provision necessary to ensure that parties in child arrangements proceedings are able to obtain timely and effective— (i) advice, and (ii) representation, particularly where allegations of domestic abuse or safeguarding concerns are raised; (b) an evaluation of the capacity of the family courts, including— (i) the number of judges, (ii) court staff, and (iii) available hearing time, to undertake robust risk assessment and fact-finding processes in line with Practice Direction 12J; (c) plans to address any shortfalls in judicial training, including— (i) training relating to coercive control, (ii) domestic abuse dynamics, and (iii) child safeguarding, (d) proposals for investment in the family court estate and technology to ensure— (i) the repeal operates effectively, and (ii) decisions are consistently grounded in the welfare and safety of the child.”

Opposition Amendment 13

Clause 26, page 35, line 19, at end insert “, subject to the provisions of subsection (3A). (3A) The Lord Chancellor may not make regulations under subsection (3) relating to the following sections until he has published a response to the recommendation of Part II of Independent Review of the Criminal Courts— (a) Section 1 (Removal of right to elect trial on indictment); (b) Section 2 (Written indication of guilty plea: removal of right to object to venue); (c) Section 3 (Trial on indictment without a jury: general rule for allocation); (d) Section 4 (Trial on indictment without a jury: complex or lengthy cases); (e) Section 5 (Consequential amendments relating to sections 3 and 4); (f) Section 6 (Increase in maximum custodial sentence in magistrates’ courts); (g) Section 7 (Appeals from magistrates’ courts).”

Opposition Amendment 14

Clause 26, page 35, line 33, at end insert “, subject to the provisions of subsection (3A). (3A) The Lord Chancellor may not make regulations under subsection (3) relating to the following sections until the pilot in accordance with section [pilot of trial allocation reforms] has been concluded— (a) Section 1 (Removal of right to elect trial on indictment); (b) Section 2 (Written indication of guilty plea: removal of right to object to venue); (c) Section 3 (Trial on indictment without a jury: general rule for allocation); (d) Section 4 (Trial on indictment without a jury: complex or lengthy cases); (e) Section 5 (Consequential amendments relating to sections 3 and 4); (f) Section 6 (Increase in maximum custodial sentence in magistrates’ courts); (g) Section 7 (Appeals from magistrates’ courts).”

Opposition Amendment 5

Page 36, line 2, leave out Schedule 1

Opposition Amendment 9

Page 38, line 9, leave out Schedule 2

Opposition Amendment 15

Schedule 2, page 52, line 7, leave out “on payment of a fee” and insert “to victims of criminal offence without a fee within 14 days of a request”

Opposition Amendment NC1

To move the following Clause— “Report on the effect of the Act on prosecution of rape and serious sexual offences (1) The Lord Chancellor must commission a report on the effect of the provisions of this Act on proceedings of cases involving rape and serious sexual offences. (2) The matters the report must consider include— (a) the effect of the Act on the time taken to dispose of cases; (b) the effect of the Act on witness participation in proceedings; and (c) the effect of the Act on the experience of victims during proceedings. (3) The report must make recommendations to improve each of the matters set out in subsection (2). (4) Recommendations may include— (a) recommendations about how the Act is implemented, and (b) recommendations about further provision necessary to improve each matter. (5) In this section, serious sexual offences are such offences as the Crown Prosecution Service may from time to time specify. (6) Within 12 months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Lord Chancellor must lay before Parliament— (a) a copy of a report under this section, (b) the Lord Chancellor’s response to recommendations made by that report.”

Opposition Amendment NC2

To move the following Clause— “Fast-track courts for rape and serious sexual offences (1) The Lord Chancellor must by regulations make provision for specialist court capacity for cases involving rape and serious sexual offences (“RASSO”). (2) Regulations under this section must include provision for the prioritised listing and progression of RASSO cases. (3) The Lord Chancellor must take reasonable steps for any necessary judicial, administrative and support resources to be made available to operate such court capacity.”

Opposition Amendment NC3

To move the following Clause— “Extended sitting hours for Crown Court Proceedings (1) The Lord Chancellor may, by order, designate specific Crown Court locations or individual court rooms as extended capacity courts. (2) Proceedings in any court designated under subsection (1) must consist of— (a) a morning session, commencing at 09:00 and concluding at 13:00; and (b) an afternoon session, commencing at 14:00 and concluding at 18:00. (3) Any court designated under subsection (1) will not have a limit on the number of cases that can be heard on the same day.”

Opposition Amendment NC4

To move the following Clause— “Review of the Feasibility of Two Court Sittings per day (1) The Lord Chancellor must, within 12 months beginning on the day on which this Act comes into force, lay before Parliament an independent report into the feasibility of conducting two trials per day in designated court rooms (“the Scheme”). (2) The scheme would allow for proceedings in a Crown Court to consist of— (a) a morning session, commencing at 09:00 and concluding at 13:00; and (b) an afternoon session, commencing at 14:00 and concluding at 18:00. (3) A report under subsection (1) must assess the impact of the scheme— (a) on the efficiency and timeliness of court proceedings; (b) on the availability of judges, legal practitioners, and court staff; (c) the potential impact on defendants, victims, and witnesses; and (d) the cost and resource implications of the scheme. (4) The Lord Chancellor must, within three months of the laying of the report under subsection (1), publish a response. (5) The response must include proposals for a pilot scheme based on the findings of the report including the proposed scope and duration of any such pilot.”

Opposition Amendment NC5

To move the following Clause— “Targets for Backlog Reduction (1) The Lord Chancellor must, within six months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, set and publish annual targets for the reduction of the Crown Court backlog in England and Wales. (2) There must be a target for the— (a) overall reduction of the Crown Court backlog in England and Wales, and (b) reduction of the backlog in each HMCTS region. (3) The Lord Chancellor must lay before Parliament an annual report on progress against these targets. (4) Any report under subsection (3) must include any steps taken to address the failure to meet the targets.”

Opposition Amendment NC6

To move the following Clause— “Victim-led Intensive Case Management (1) The Lord Chancellor must, within six months of the passing of this Act, lay before Parliament a strategy for the implementation of Victim-Led Intensive Case Management in proceedings in the criminal courts (“The Strategy”). (2) The strategy must outline steps to prioritise the experience of victims in relation to proceedings in the criminal courts.”

Opposition Amendment NC7

To move the following Clause— “Judicial training: anti-discrimination (1) Any member of the judiciary who may be assigned to proceedings for a trial on indictment without a jury must have access to training on matters relating to discrimination against individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds. (2) Training provided under subsection (1) must cover— (a) the identification and prevention of racial bias, including unconscious bias, and (b) the impact of discrimination on access to justice and judicial outcomes. (3) The Lord Chancellor must by regulations specify how often members of the judiciary must undertake such training. (4) The Lord Chancellor must lay an annual report before Parliament on the provision and uptake of training provided under this section.”

Opposition Amendment NC8

To move the following Clause— “Judicial training: violence against women and girls (1) Any member of the judiciary who may be assigned to proceedings for a trial on indictment without a jury must have access to training on matters relating to violence against women and girls. (2) Training provided under subsection (1) must cover— (a) the nature and dynamics of violence against women and girls, including— (i) domestic abuse, (ii) sexual violence, (iii) coercive control, and (iv) so-called honour-based abuse; (b) best practice in hearing cases involving violence against women and girls, including ensuring fair and trauma-informed proceedings. (3) The Lord Chancellor must by regulations specify how often members of the judiciary must undertake such training. (4) The Lord Chancellor must lay an annual report before Parliament on the provision and uptake of training provided under this section.”

Opposition Amendment NC9

To move the following Clause— “Judicial training: domestic abuse (1) Any member of the judiciary who may be assigned to proceedings for a trial on indictment without a jury must have access to training on matters relating to domestic abuse. (2) Training provided under subsection (1) must cover— (a) the nature and dynamics of domestic abuse, including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and economic abuse, as well as controlling or coercive behaviour; (b) best practice in the management of cases involving domestic abuse, including ensuring fair and trauma-informed proceedings. (3) The Lord Chancellor must by regulations specify how often members of the judiciary must undertake such training. (4) The Lord Chancellor must lay an annual report before Parliament on the provision and uptake of training provided under this section.”

Opposition Amendment NC10

To move the following Clause— “Pilot of trial allocation reforms (1) The Lord Chancellor may not make regulations bringing sections 1 to 7 of this Act into force unless— (a) he has first made arrangements for a pilot scheme for the provision of those sections in accordance with subsections (2) and (3), (b) a statutory instrument containing regulations for the commencement of sections 1 to 7 of this Act has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament. (2) A pilot scheme may— (a) be for the purpose of trialling all provisions of sections 1 to 7 of this Act, (b) be for such a period as the Lord Chancellor may by regulations specify, provided that the period does not exceed 24 months beginning with the day on which this section is brought into force, (c) take place in at least one location in England and Wales as the Lord Chancellor may by regulations specify, (d) apply to proceedings in the criminal courts as the Lord Chancellor may by regulations specify. (3) Before the conclusion of the pilot scheme under subsection (2), the Lord Chancellor must— (a) commission an independent review of the pilot scheme, and (b) lay before Parliament a report on the assessment under paragraph (a).”

Opposition Amendment NC11

To move the following Clause— “Access to free court transcripts for victims (1) Victims of criminal offences shall be entitled to receive, without charge, court transcripts of— (a) judicial summings-up, and (b) bail decisions and conditions, which are relevant to their case. (2) HM Courts and Tribunals Service must ensure that such transcripts are provided within 14 days of a request. (3) The duty under subsection (1) shall apply irrespective of whether the victim gave evidence in the case.”

Opposition Amendment NC12

To move the following Clause— “Report on the effect of the Act on public trust and participation in the criminal justice system (1) The Lord Chancellor must commission a report on the effect of the provisions of the Act on public trust and participation in the judicial system. (2) A report under this section must— (a) include consideration of the effect of the provisions of the Act on— (i) witness participation; (ii) the effect of these reforms on public confidence and trust in the criminal justice system; and (iii) the effect of these provisions on BAME engagement with and trust of the criminal justice system, (b) contain recommendations for further provision, or changes to delivery of provision under this Act, to increase the levels of each criterion set out in sub-paragraphs (2)(a)(i) to (2)(a)(iii). (3) Within 12 months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Lord Chancellor must lay before Parliament— (a) a copy of a report under this section, (b) the Lord Chancellor’s response to recommendations made by that report.”

Opposition Amendment NC13

To move the following Clause— “Duty to provide trauma-informed training (1) The Lord Chancellor must ensure that appropriate training is made mandatory for members of all court staff working in the criminal courts on best practice in relation to victims’ trauma. (2) Training under subsection (1) must include— (a) the nature, prevalence, and impact of domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour, and rape and serious sexual offences (“RASSO”); (b) the dynamics and psychological effects of trauma on parties and witnesses involved in proceedings; (c) the identification and appropriate handling of cases involving domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour, and RASSO offences; (d) the ways in which trauma may affect memory, communication, behaviour, and engagement with court proceedings; (e) best practices for reducing retraumatisation within court and tribunals settings. (3) Training provided under this section must— (a) take place on initial appointment to a role within a court, and at regular intervals thereafter; (b) reflect current best practice and be informed by up-to-date research and guidance; and (c) be developed in consultation with appropriate experts, including specialist support organisations and persons with lived experience of abuse and trauma. (4) The Lord Chancellor must keep the training under review and revise it as appropriate. (5) The Lord Chancellor must publish guidance on the implementation of this section.”

Opposition Amendment NC14

To move the following Clause— “Review of Efficiencies in the Criminal Justice System (1) The Lord Chancellor must, within 24 months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed, conduct a review on the impact of the provisions of this Act on the efficiency of the criminal justice system. (2) The review under subsection (1) must, in particular, consider the impact on the efficiency of the criminal justice system of— (a) the provisions of this Act; (b) the wider criminal justice system; (c) the standard of delivery by court contract providers, including PECS contractors; (d) the condition of the courts estate; and (e) the use of technology. (3) In considering “efficiency”, the review must consider the impact on— (a) delays, (b) backlogs, and (c) the experience of victims and witnesses. (4) The Secretary of State must lay a report on the review before Parliament. (5) The report under subsection (4) must include recommendations for further legislative or administrative changes to improve the efficiency of the criminal justice system.”

Opposition Amendment NC15

To move the following Clause— “Expiry of sections 1 to 7 in specified circumstances (1) The Lord Chancellor must lay before Parliament a report assessing the effectiveness of the provisions contained in sections 1 to 7 of this Act. (2) A report under this section must be laid— (a) within 24 months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, or (b) within 24 months of the latest date on which any of sections 1 to 7 is commenced, whichever is the later. (3) The report must describe— (a) any time saved in court as a result of the measures included in those sections; (b) any change in the number of cases awaiting trial in the Crown Court since this Act was passed; (c) the number of cases awaiting trial in the Crown Court at the time at which the report is prepared; and (d) any other effect of the provisions of sections 1 to 7 on the criminal justice system. (4) The report must provide a conclusion by the Lord Chancellor on whether the reforms have been effective in reducing the number of cases awaiting trial at Crown Court. (5) Where the report concludes that the provisions have not been effective, the Lord Chancellor must make regulations providing for the immediate repeal of sections 1 to 7. (6) Where the report concludes that the provisions are effective, the Lord Chancellor must make regulations making provision for repeal of sections 1 to 7 subject to the condition in subsection (8). (7) The condition is that the number of cases awaiting trial in the Crown Court has in the opinion of the Lord Chancellor reduced to a sufficient extent. (8) Regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.”

Opposition Amendment NC16

To move the following Clause— “Remote Court Participation: Strategy (1) The Lord Chancellor must, within 12 months of the passing of this Act, lay before Parliament a strategy for the use of remote proceedings to reduce the case backlog (“the strategy”). (2) The strategy must include— (a) an assessment of the current use of remote proceedings; (b) an evaluation of the impact of remote proceedings on the speed of case disposal and the overall reduction of the outstanding caseload; (c) recommendations on how the principle of open justice can be upheld with the increased use of remote proceedings; (d) criteria for determining the suitability of proceedings for different forms of remote participation; and (e) provisions for the security, reliability, and resilience of digital systems used in remote proceedings. (3) The Secretary of State must, at intervals of no more than 24 months following the laying of the strategy, lay before Parliament a report on progress made against the strategy. (4) The progress report must consider— (a) the extent to which the strategy has been implemented; (b) the impact on the criminal case backlog, including any measures by which that impact has been assessed; and (c) any further legislative or budgetary provisions to ensure the effectiveness of remote proceedings. (5) For the purposes of this section, “remote proceedings” means any proceedings in which one or more participants attend by way of live video or audio link.”

Opposition Amendment NC17

To move the following Clause— “Inspectorate of Criminal Court Administration (1) The Lord Chancellor may appoint such number of inspectors of criminal court administration as he considers appropriate. (2) Inspectors under this section are collectively known as “His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Criminal Court Administration” (“the Inspectorate”). (3) The Lord Chancellor must appoint one of the persons so appointed to be His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Criminal Court Administration. (4) The Lord Chancellor may make to or in respect of inspectors of court administration such payments by way of remuneration, allowances or otherwise as he may determine. (5) It is the duty of the Inspectorate to inspect and report to the Lord Chancellor on— (a) the administration and operation of the system that supports the carrying on of the business of— (i) the Crown Court, and (ii) the magistrates’ courts; (b) the efficiency, effectiveness and accessibility of those courts and their services, having particular regard to the experience of witnesses and victims. (6) Any report under subsection (5) must make recommendations to the Lord Chancellor in respect of subsection (5). (7) The Lord Chancellor must lay before Parliament— (a) any report under this section within one month of receiving it; and (b) his response to the recommendations of a report within six months beginning on the day on which the report in question is laid. (8) A response under subsection (7)(b) must describe— (a) any action the Lord Chancellor proposes to take, and (b) where the Lord Chancellor does not propose to take any action, a reason why he proposes not to take action. (9) The Lord Chancellor may not issue any direction to the Inspectorate in relation to its duty under subsection (5). (10) The Lord Chancellor may by regulations make further provision about the Inspectorate.”

Opposition Amendment 1

Page 1, line 4, leave out Clause 1

Opposition Amendment 2

Page 4, line 16, leave out Clause 2

Opposition Amendment 3

Page 5, line 12, leave out Clause 3

Opposition Amendment 17

Clause 3, page 6, line 25, at end insert— “(4A) A trial conducted without a jury will be heard by one judge and two magistrates.”

Opposition Amendment 16

Clause 3, page 9, line 17, leave out “no” and insert “a”

Opposition Amendment 10

Clause 3, page 9, line 28, leave out subsections (2) to (4)

Opposition Amendment 4

Page 10, line 5, leave out Clause 4

Opposition Amendment 6

Page 14, line 7, leave out Clause 5

Opposition Amendment 7

Page 15, line 23, leave out Clause 6

Opposition Amendment 11

Clause 6, page 15, line 36, leave out lines 36 and 37

Opposition Amendment 19

Clause 6, page 15, line 37, at end insert— “(1B) Regulations under this paragraph are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.”

Opposition Amendment 18

Clause 6, page 17, line 18, at end insert— “(9) After section 15 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, insert— “15A Entitlement to Crown Court funding levels in certain proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court (1) This section applies to criminal proceedings in a magistrates’ court where— (a) an individual is charged with an either-way offence; and (b) the court, having regard to the sentencing guidelines, considers it likely that a sentence of imprisonment exceeding 12 months will be imposed upon conviction. (2) Where this section applies, any relevant representation order shall provide for remuneration at the same rates and under the same conditions as would apply if the proceedings were determined in the Crown Court.””

Opposition Amendment 8

Page 17, line 20, leave out Clause 7

Opposition Amendment 12

Clause 17, page 30, line 24, at end insert— “(3) The Lord Chancellor must, within six months of the commencement of this section, lay before both Houses of Parliament a report on the resources required to give full effect to the repeal of subsection 2A in Section 1 of the Children Act 1989. (4) The report under subsection (3) must include— (a) an assessment of the level of legal aid provision necessary to ensure that parties in child arrangements proceedings are able to obtain timely and effective— (i) advice, and (ii) representation, particularly where allegations of domestic abuse or safeguarding concerns are raised; (b) an evaluation of the capacity of the family courts, including— (i) the number of judges, (ii) court staff, and (iii) available hearing time, to undertake robust risk assessment and fact-finding processes in line with Practice Direction 12J; (c) plans to address any shortfalls in judicial training, including— (i) training relating to coercive control, (ii) domestic abuse dynamics, and (iii) child safeguarding, (d) proposals for investment in the family court estate and technology to ensure— (i) the repeal operates effectively, and (ii) decisions are consistently grounded in the welfare and safety of the child.”

Opposition Amendment 13

Clause 26, page 35, line 19, at end insert “, subject to the provisions of subsection (3A). (3A) The Lord Chancellor may not make regulations under subsection (3) relating to the following sections until he has published a response to the recommendation of Part II of Independent Review of the Criminal Courts— (a) Section 1 (Removal of right to elect trial on indictment); (b) Section 2 (Written indication of guilty plea: removal of right to object to venue); (c) Section 3 (Trial on indictment without a jury: general rule for allocation); (d) Section 4 (Trial on indictment without a jury: complex or lengthy cases); (e) Section 5 (Consequential amendments relating to sections 3 and 4); (f) Section 6 (Increase in maximum custodial sentence in magistrates’ courts); (g) Section 7 (Appeals from magistrates’ courts).”

Opposition Amendment 14

Clause 26, page 35, line 33, at end insert “, subject to the provisions of subsection (3A). (3A) The Lord Chancellor may not make regulations under subsection (3) relating to the following sections until the pilot in accordance with section [pilot of trial allocation reforms] has been concluded— (a) Section 1 (Removal of right to elect trial on indictment); (b) Section 2 (Written indication of guilty plea: removal of right to object to venue); (c) Section 3 (Trial on indictment without a jury: general rule for allocation); (d) Section 4 (Trial on indictment without a jury: complex or lengthy cases); (e) Section 5 (Consequential amendments relating to sections 3 and 4); (f) Section 6 (Increase in maximum custodial sentence in magistrates’ courts); (g) Section 7 (Appeals from magistrates’ courts).”

Opposition Amendment 5

Page 36, line 2, leave out Schedule 1

Opposition Amendment 9

Page 38, line 9, leave out Schedule 2

Opposition Amendment 15

Schedule 2, page 52, line 7, leave out “on payment of a fee” and insert “to victims of criminal offence without a fee within 14 days of a request”

Opposition Amendment 1

Page 1, line 4, leave out Clause 1

Opposition Amendment 2

Page 4, line 16, leave out Clause 2

Opposition Amendment 3

Page 5, line 12, leave out Clause 3

Opposition Amendment 4

Page 10, line 5, leave out Clause 4

Opposition Amendment 5

Page 14, line 7, leave out Clause 5

Opposition Amendment 6

Page 15, line 23, leave out Clause 6

Opposition Amendment 7

Page 17, line 13, leave out Clause 7

Opposition Amendment 8

Page 36, line 2, leave out Schedule 1

Opposition Amendment 9

Page 38, line 9, leave out Schedule 2