Speeches by Sackman.

“We are not going to do a pilot, not because piloting is not a good idea per se, but because a pilot would necessitate legislation, which is why the hon. Lady has proposed it in this way, and because it would lead to a criminal justice system with different models running in parallel. That is okay—that happens with pilo…”

“This group contains a number of new clauses, and I want to make sure that I address all the principal themes. New clause 5, tabled by the hon. Member for Chichester, relates to publishing targets for reducing court backlogs. It would require the Lord Chancellor to set and publish targets for reducing court backlogs, an…”

“Written evidence reported to the House”

“CTB 37 Sir Stephen Mitchell”

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“CTB 39 Wales and Chester Circuit”

“CTB 42 Both Parents Matter (additional further evidence)”

“CTB 43 Resolve”

“Through the Government’s mission to halve violence against women and girls, we are already acting to improve the experience of coming to court for all victims of rape and sexual violence. The Bill introduces measures, which we have discussed, to protect those victims from the unfair use of rape myths in clauses 8 to 11…”

“We are bringing the successful model of Operation Soteria into the courtroom so that the focus, as in policing and prosecution, is on the suspect, not the complainant. That work is being led by Professor Katrin Hohl, from whom the Committee heard. That is another important building block. Her insights will be critical …”

“Well, during covid courts did operate with extended and flexible arrangements, but those were temporary measures, under exceptional conditions, dealing with reduced volumes. By the way, to the point made by the hon. Member for Chichester, the reduction in the hearing time in a sitting day—now under four hours—concerns …”

“I thank the hon. Member for Chichester for tabling new clause 22 and amendment 15, regarding remote participation. They essentially call for a formal strategy for the use of remote proceedings. I thank her sincerely, because I totally agree with the sentiment behind them.”

“If we think about where we were pre-covid, I remember—before coming to this place—when the courts suddenly started using video technology for remote hearings. People said it could not be done and that it was antithetical to fairness. When we went into lockdown, the trial that I had listed was done by video the next wee…”

“There are two things the Government can do. One is to provide impetus and strategic oversight. The other is to provide the kit—the capital investment necessary to enable remote participation to its fullest. We have begun to make that capital investment. We have invested more than £22.5 million in the glamorously named …”

“If judges are watching at home, I urge them to lean into the usage of DAVE and to be progressive when it comes to the take-up of remote participation. Obviously, there are some trials and applications that must happen in person, and judicial discretion around what those should be is really important. However, I am hope…”

“I hope the hon. Member for Chichester can hear from what I have just said that we are on the case. We do not need to legislate for that strategy, but I am grateful for the opportunity to share some of the ways in which we are working at pace to deliver the sorts of changes that will modernise our court system and make …”

“Sending cases to the Crown court”

““(1) The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 is amended as follows.”

“I agree with the sentiment behind the new clause to ensure that we are monitoring efficiency, effectiveness and performance across our criminal courts system. However, as the shadow Justice Minister just said, the best mechanisms for holding the system to account in terms of performance and judicial accountability meri…”

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