Rape and Serious Sexual Offences: Jury Directions

Debate between Lord Lemos and Lord Bishop of Manchester

Monday 9th November 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Lemos (Lab)]

I think I have made it clear, but I am happy to make it clear again, that the principle of judicial independence in these cases—in all cases, indeed—is a fundamental building block of the rule of law. We are not seeking to undermine that in any way. As I have said, independent judges already can and do give direction concerning rape myths; we do not want these myths to be weaponised, but we also do not want that to compromise the independence of judges.

[The Lord Bishop of Manchester]

My Lords, we have rightly been reflecting on the trauma that victims and survivors face in court and trying to see how we can reduce that. One of the things that make trauma worse is the sheer length of the delay between when offences are committed and initially detected and when trials happen. What work are the Government doing with the Crown Prosecution Service to try to see that serious sexual offenders are brought to justice more quickly, so that survivors and victims do not have to wait so long to give their evidence?

[Lord Lemos (Lab)]

I entirely agree with the right reverend Prelate on the damage that delays, particularly in the Crown Court but also in the magistrates’ courts, do to victims in those circumstances. That is why the Government are legislating in the Courts and Tribunals Bill. It is not a question simply of working with the Crown Prosecution Service, which of course we will, and already, do; it is with the specific intention of reducing waiting times and the damage those do to victims that we are legislating.