Rape and Serious Sexual Offences: Jury Directions

Baroness Chakrabarti Excerpts

Monday 9th November 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Lemos (Lab)]

We will have an opportunity to debate SLAPPs again, not least in relation to the noble Baroness’s Private Member’s Bill.

[Baroness Chakrabarti (Lab)]

My Lords, does my noble friend agree that, while this House perhaps more than anywhere else will always be concerned to protect judicial independence and discretion, Parliament none the less legislates all the time? It is getting the balance right between discretion and rules that makes good law. Given the universality of rape myths in society and that in the past Parliament has intervened—for example, to prevent rape defendants cross-examining in person—this is a worthwhile debate that our noble friend Lady Levitt has raised.

[Lord Lemos (Lab)]

Yes, I absolutely agree that my noble friend has raised a worthwhile and important debate. At the heart of this is the fact that rape myths are pervasive, widespread and widely damaging in our society. That is what we need to do something about. The Government want to ensure—I am sure my noble friend agrees—that they are not used to distort criminal trials and retraumatise victims. Victims should never feel that they are on trial. We know we need to do better on ensuring that victims of rape and sexual abuse feel safe to seek justice. I pay tribute to my noble friend Lady Levitt’s work at the Crown Prosecution Service to achieve that. But this is ongoing work, and of course the Government will continue to think about it.