"The Government recognise the critical role litigation funding plays in supporting access to justice and the need for such arrangements to be fair, transparent and commercially viable for funders. To support these aims, the Government have accepted the Civil Justice Council’s two key recommendations. First, we will legislate to mitigate …..." Lord Lemos - View Speech
"We are committed to legislating. I hear the noble Lord’s concern about that, but I want to reassure the House that we are committed to legislating when parliamentary time allows. We are working urgently to identify a new legislative vehicle to take this forward. Legislation will clarify that litigation funding …..." Lord Lemos - View Speech
"That is why we think light-touch regulation is important here. Transparency is important for consumers in these situations. I see the noble Baroness smile. I know the phrase “light touch” receives a hollow laugh—I used to be a financial services regulator myself. The Government do feel that there is a …..." Lord Lemos - View Speech
"I do recognise that, and I know the history of Sir Alan Bates’ involvement in this. Sir Alan Bates has spoken openly about how, without a litigation funding agreement, he and the sub-postmasters would not have had their day in court. We agree with Sir Alan that third-party funding is …..." Lord Lemos - View Speech
"Yes, I do. I can tell the noble and learned Baroness what is holding this up: it is people like me and other Ministers competing for legislative time. I am sorry to say I am going to be arguing with myself, but I promise to take noble Lords’ side on …..." Lord Lemos - View Speech
"No, it is not being blocked by the Treasury. Sorry, I must not be too bold and assertive—I appreciate that that is not my role. But no, it is not blocked by the Treasury. The Treasury has no say in this. We are looking for an appropriate legislative vehicle. The …..." Lord Lemos - View Speech
"Bottomless quicksands are best avoided. I know the history of all this and the legislation the previous Government proposed. As I have made clear, we will legislate. The noble and learned Lord knows I cannot give him a date, but I will do my best to move this forward with …..." Lord Lemos - View Speech
"I almost always agree with my noble friend, but on this occasion, I would suggest a tentative correction. Actually, the previous Government did put forward legislation, as the noble and learned Lord, Lord Keen, mentioned. But we are committed to doing that, and as my noble friend says, there are …..." Lord Lemos - View Speech
"My Lords, I hope all noble Lords had a good break over the summer. As your Lordships might perhaps have noticed, we have been beavering away at the Ministry of Justice. If you get a call from No. 10, as I did on the last day before Recess, be careful …..." Lord Lemos - View Speech