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Division Vote (Lords)
15 Apr 2026 - Victims and Courts Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd (XB) voted No and against the House
One of 28 Crossbench No votes vs 6 Crossbench Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 270 Noes - 200
Division Vote (Lords)
15 Apr 2026 - Victims and Courts Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd (XB) voted No and in line with the House
One of 32 Crossbench No votes vs 12 Crossbench Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 209 Noes - 260
Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 15 Apr 2026
Victims and Courts Bill

"My Lords, on the Motion that has been proposed as regards private prosecutions, it is very urgent that this is brought into effect as soon as possible. If the proposal goes ahead for an extensive consultation of the kind envisaged, together with impact assessments and responses, I fear this would …..."
Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd - View Speech

View all Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd (XB - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Victims and Courts Bill

Division Vote (Lords)
13 Apr 2026 - English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd (XB) voted No and in line with the House
One of 15 Crossbench No votes vs 12 Crossbench Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 178 Noes - 231
Division Vote (Lords)
13 Apr 2026 - English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd (XB) voted No and in line with the House
One of 16 Crossbench No votes vs 9 Crossbench Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 69 Noes - 332
Division Vote (Lords)
13 Apr 2026 - English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd (XB) voted Aye and in line with the House
One of 21 Crossbench Aye votes vs 17 Crossbench No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 257 Noes - 180
Division Vote (Lords)
13 Apr 2026 - English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd (XB) voted Aye and in line with the House
One of 15 Crossbench Aye votes vs 27 Crossbench No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 247 Noes - 187
Written Question
Crown Court
Monday 13th April 2026

Asked by: Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many hours per day the Crown Courts at (1) Liverpool, (2) Crown Square, and (3) Minshull Street, sat on average between (a) September and December 2024, and (b) September and December 2025; what was the average time taken at these courts from receipt of a case to its conclusion in (1) December 2024, and (2) December 2025; and what assessment they have made of the earliest date at which a trial of (1) 2 days, (2) 10 days, and (3) 6 weeks, would be heard at these courts as of March 2026.

Answered by Baroness Levitt - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

Criminal Court data is published at a Local Criminal Justice Board (LCJB) area level and not by individual court. This reduces volatility and fluctuations associated with low volumes of cases at some court centres. The Criminal Courts Accredited Official Statistics are published quarterly and data is reported by quarter. The information requested is provided at LCJB area level. Listing is a judicial responsibility and function. The purpose is to ensure that all cases are brought to a hearing or trial in accordance with the interests of justice, that the resources available for criminal justice are deployed as effectively as possible, and that cases are heard by an appropriate judge or bench with the minimum of delay. (CRIMINAL PRACTICE DIRECTIONS 2015 DIVISION XIII ). Data on how far a court is listing certain lengths of trial concerning the listing of trials of particular duration is held locally by individual court centres and not centrally held. It is influenced by the listing policy of the Resident Judge in question and the local open caseload. It is subject to continual change and adapts to reflect the open caseload volume and case mix at any point in time. Normally cases are listed in order of priority according to a number of factors (e.g. counsel availability and courtroom availability) as well as the time estimate. Earlier listing dates may become available where other trials are vacated, or if the Resident Judge decides to prioritise one trial over another (for example those involving young defendants or child witnesses). Both LCJB areas are listing custody cases within the required Custody Time Limits. The listing data provided below relates to general bail cases and reflects the position as at 27 March 2026.

Data Source

Time period

Merseyside LCJB Area*

Greater Manchester LCJB Area*

Average (mean) Hours per day sat

HMCTS Internal Management Information

Sept-Dec 2024

3.8

4.0

Average (mean) Hours per day sat

HMCTS Internal Management Information

Sept-Dec 2025

3.8

4.0

Average (median) time taken receipt at the Crown Court to conclusion (days)

Criminal court statistics - GOV.UK.

Oct – Dec 2024

76

169

Average (median) time taken receipt at the Crown Court to conclusion (days)

Criminal court statistics - GOV.UK.

Oct-Dec 2025

103

168

Earliest date for listing a 2-day bail trial

HMCTS Local Court Information

As at 27/03/26

22/02/2027

01/07/2027

Earliest date for listing a 10-day bail trial

HMCTS Local Court Information

As at 27/03/26

03/05/2027

31/07/2028

Earliest date for listing a 6-week bail trial

HMCTS Local Court Information

As at 27/03/26

07/06/2027

11/09/2028

*The respective LCJBs cover courts including (a) Liverpool Crown and (b) the two Manchester Crown centres.

Division Vote (Lords)
26 Mar 2026 - English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd (XB) voted Aye and in line with the House
One of 8 Crossbench Aye votes vs 4 Crossbench No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 152 Noes - 128
Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 25 Mar 2026
Crime and Policing Bill

"My Lords, can I add one word? In my experience in dealing with a large number of offences where corporations were responsible, it is only fines—and fines of a substantial amount—that have any real effect. The fines in this Bill are modest, in my view. I hope everyone will realise …..."
Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd - View Speech

View all Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd (XB - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Crime and Policing Bill