Speeches by Paul.

“The equality statement itself admits that it does not have access to full data on who elects jury trials, broken down by disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status, and that it cannot draw conclusions on potential differences in verdicts for individuals with protected characteristics for…”

“I want to speak briefly about women, specifically because it is easy for the Government to speak as though anyone opposing clause 3 is somehow indifferent to women’s experience of delay. That is not true, and the evidence does not support it. Section 28 is unavailable in the magistrates courts, and pushing more cases d…”

“That is a rather devastating critique, because it does not come from some romantic defence of tradition—attractive though that may be—but stems from a cold look at the Government’s own numbers and the inescapable conclusion that the gains appear modest and come with substantial legal risks.”

“JUSTICE and the Bar Council build on that point. JUSTICE notes that the Government’s model assumes cases within scope average 6.25 sitting days, while the Criminal Bar Association says that they are typically closer to three sitting days, meaning that the savings are likely overstated by around double. JUSTICE also say…”

“That is before we even get to the cost of written reasoned verdicts. In clause 3 cases, the Bill requires judges to set out written reasons for conviction or acquittal. I have seen that particular innovation praised on the grounds of transparency, but surely if the Government’s argument is about saving court time, they…”

“One of the biggest weaknesses in the Government’s case is the false choice built into the impact assessment. The impact assessment sets up two options: option 0, do nothing, and option 1, implement the criminal court reform measures in the Bill. That may be tidy as a Treasury Green Book template, but it is substantiall…”

“Ministers repeatedly say justice delayed is justice denied—of course it is. But that slogan does not identify the cause of delay, and it does not prove that clause 3 is the right cure. Indeed, Sir Brian Leveson said that the most significant cause is “chronic underfunding”, coupled with “increased complexity” and loss …”

“Professor Rebecca Helm’s paper surveyed 1,015 adults and specifically isolated the views of those with jury service experience, those who had appeared in court charged with criminal offences and those from ethnic minority groups. Her results showed that people with jury service experience and people with defendant expe…”

“Does my hon. Friend agree that Government Members and the Minister have spent a lot of time talking about victims being central to all of the changes, so why on earth would they not support the amendment if it is really about protecting victims from being cross-examined?”

“If we are increasing the sentence in the magistrates court, I would imagine the Minister will agree that, in some situations, we are increasing the complexity of the case. For example, a sexual assault case could be quite complicated and require, in order to look after the alleged victim and make sure their wellbeing i…”

“This Committee has seen written warnings that restricting jury trials could particularly damage confidence among women and minoritised groups, and that women survivors are frequently criminalised. It is therefore entirely possible for a measure to be sold in the name of helping women victims while, in fact, making part…”

“Cassia Rowland’s analysis suggests the total impact of the Government’s proposals on court demand is likely to be around a 7% to 10% reduction in total courtroom time, with just 1.5% to 2.5% of that coming from the introduction of judge-only trials in the Crown court bench division. The IFG’s later report goes further,…”

“Charlotte Schreurs and others argue from lived experience that delay is intolerable, and limited reform may be preferable to a justice system that does not function at all. I do not shy away from that view. Victims are absolutely right to be angry about delay, and they are right to say that the current position is into…”

“It is a pleasure to start the day with you and end the day with you, Ms Jardine. I am sure you are very much enjoying starting your day with me and ending your day with me, too. [Laughter.] I have just realised how that can be interpreted. My apologies, Ms Jardine; I cannot account for the minds of other Members. To ge…”

“That is soaring language, but the core point could be made more plainly. Clause 3 reduces the direct participation of ordinary citizens in the administration of criminal justice. That is wrong and is corrosive to the standing and administration of that same justice.”

“I agree with my hon. Friend. Frankly, I am shocked that a Labour Government would do that. It is the last thing I expected of a Labour Government.”

“I will have more to say on new clause 29 later, but the debate around equalities belongs squarely in any discussion of clause 3, too. The Government’s own equalities statement says that in 2022, 26% of black defendants elected for trial in the Crown court, compared with 15% of white defendants, and that in 2021, 20% of…”

“Perhaps I am more optimistic about these things.”

““Criminal trials without juries are a bad idea”,”

“Thank you for that guidance, Ms Jardine, but that seems to suggest that we are not allowed ever again in this Bill Committee to bring up the fact that the right to elect for jury trial and rights to legal aid are being removed. Surely we need to be able to talk about that as we go through the Bill.”