Speeches by Sackman.

“We think that changing the structure of the decision-making process such that it does not start with that presumption will lead to improvements in outcomes. It is not the only thing; of course it is not. The hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle made an interesting suggestion about structured reasoning through the welfare…”

“Clause 11 will ensure that if a defendant has a previous conviction for domestic abuse—of any type and against any victim—it can be taken into account as evidence of bad character in a further domestic abuse case. That will help courts to recognise relevant patterns of behaviour that might otherwise fall outside narrow…”

“Clause 12 will make it more routine and straightforward for screens to be used in combination with those measures, helping to provide greater reassurance to intimidated witnesses that they will not be seen by the accused while they give their evidence. These are simple but important steps. Reducing the potential for in…”

“The clause will also introduce a presumption in favour of granting screens when an intimidated witness requests them, whether they are giving evidence by live link or pre-recording their cross-examination. While screens can be combined with those special measures, the Law Commission highlighted that that does not happe…”

“I thank the hon. Member for Chichester for the points she raised. In many respects, they are well made, and they consider people’s choice architecture—for want of a better phrase—their understanding of what they might be entitled to request, and whether we should default to providing all the special measures or maintai…”

“As with the previous debate, I will set out the rationale for clause 9 and then turn to the amendments tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Easington (Grahame Morris). Clause 9 will create a high admissibility threshold for evidence about a complainant’s compensation claims in sexual offence prosecutions. That could…”

“As Claire observed in front of the Committee, and I think it is a view that is shared by all the members of this Committee, keeping children safe, and the improvements that we need to drive in the family court, do not end with the repeal of this presumption. We think it is important; we think it will send an important …”

“One a real step forward, which touches on some of the other themes we have talked about today, is greater transparency in our family courts. For good reason, lots of family proceedings are held in private to protect the identities of those participating in them, but we are seeing more and more transparency in our famil…”

“A number of Members raised the issue of specialist training, which is so important. We have talked about it in the context of criminal justice, and it is equally important in this context. While it is right that judicial training is the responsibility of the independent judiciary, campaigners and parliamentarians have …”

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“Recent case law demonstrates that the family courts are already grappling with these considerations. In the case of Re Y, the president of the family division made it clear that the court should establish the facts of a case, particularly regarding whether domestic abuse has occurred, prior to considering any expert op…”

“The welfare of children must always be the family courts’ paramount concern when they make decisions about a child’s life. That principle is enshrined in the Children Act 1989. The Family Justice Council has published guidance on this issue, which has been endorsed by the president of the family division. That guidance…”

“The Government fully recognise the intention behind the new clause, as well as the desire to support survivors to relocate safely with their children. However, we cannot accept this amendment. Children do not need such a statutory presumption to keep them safe. What they need is a rigorous, case-by-case approach in whi…”

““The judgment must be given at, or as soon as reasonably practicable after, the time of the conviction or acquittal.””

“The Bill provides that:”

“Several points have been raised in this debate. First, on the definition and the application of the eligibility test, when I was explaining the rationale behind the provision for judge-only trials in complex and lengthy cases—a realisation of one of the key recommendations of the independent review—I was talking about …”

“The suggestion was that in the vast majority of cases, reasons could be given immediately.”

““I also do not accept that there will be additional time spent in the writing of judgments. The vast majority of decisions will follow the conclusion of the defence speech”.––[Official Report, Courts and Tribunals Public Bill Committee, 25 March 2026; c. 76, Q161.]”

“On amendment 49, consistent with our approach to the allocation of cases within the existing caseload but where trials are not yet commenced in relation to allocation to a Crown court bench division, we follow the same approach in relation to questions of allocation with the creation of a judge-only forum for cases of …”

“I understand the concerns that have been raised about the time taken to deliver a reasoned judgment, but I take Members back to what we heard at the oral evidence session, where a panel of senior judges, and in particular a former recorder of Liverpool, confirmed that they do not expect providing verdicts, including re…”