[{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"44169","proposer":"24966","edm":"37","session":"2012-13","title":"Police Court Time","text":"That this House notes that there has been controversy about the cost of overtime payments for the police; further notes that many of these payments go to officers who are forced to come in on their daysoff to attend court for cases that are adjourned or do not have a court available; believes that this is both frustrating to the police officers concerned and costly to the taxpayer; further believes that reform of the courts could cut costs in a way that would gain support of the police; and calls on the court service to seriously consider changing practices to reduce this problem.","date":"2012-05-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"44096","proposer":"11420","edm":"2988","session":"2010-12","title":"Expert Evidence And Family Court Proceedings And The Attacks On Professor Ireland","text":"That this House notes the attempts by a group of full-time expert witnesses to discredit the report of Professor Jane Ireland; recognises that the report, which indicates that potentially a majority of conclusions in care proceedings, which rely on these experts, are unsafe, raises serious concerns about their practice; believes, however, that the vitriolic response of those expert witnesses and the nature of the ad hominem attacks on Professor Ireland raise further concerns about the practice of those expert witnesses who have launched into such a campaign of attacks; is saddened by the complacent response of the Government which is trying to argue that the research is not representative; further notes that it is clearly representative of three courts, the bundles of which were reviewed;furthernotes that, in the same manner as an opinion poll, it is reasonable to presume that it gives a reasonable guide as to the reliability of expert evidence in the rest of the English and Welsh jurisdiction; and calls for an urgent reconsideration by the Government ofits position on this.","date":"2012-04-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"43964","proposer":"24966","edm":"2860","session":"2010-12","title":"Case Of David Bonnell","text":"That this House notes that Tracey Bonnell, the daughter of Marie West, a constituent of the hon. Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale was murdered by her husband in 1997; further notes David Bonnell was convicted and imprisoned, but is due for parole in March 2012; and believes that Marie West should be assured that the murderer of her daughter will not be allowed to contact or visit the family and that she should be made aware of his release date and whereabouts.","date":"2012-03-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"43459","proposer":"11420","edm":"2370","session":"2010-12","title":"Jersey And The Imprisonment Of Stuart Syvret","text":"That this House notes the imprisonment of Stuart Syvret; believes that the public authorities of the island of Jersey do not operate in a manner compliant with the requirements of the European Commission of Human Rights(ECHR), there being overt and significant overlaps and contaminations between the legislature, executive and judiciary; further notes that Her Majesty's subjects in Jersey are not protected by effective checks and balances, and that there has been the political repression of former Chief Police Officer, Graham Power and former Senator Stuart Syvret; further notes that, notwithstanding the responsibility the Secretary of State for Justice has for good governance and Convention Rights in Jersey, the island's authorities are permitted to repress opposition activists, and that the Secretary of State for Justiceand Jersey's Lieutenant Governor have failed to act; further notes that successive governments of the United Kingdom have committed this nation to securing real democratic freedoms and the rule of law in other jurisdictions, yet in the British enclave of Jersey on the United Kingdom's very doorstep, ordinary powerless people are oppressed by an entrenched oligarchy; and calls on the Secretary of State for Justice to appoint an independent Commission similar to that which investigated corruption in the Turks and Caicos Islands, to investigate the conduct of Jersey's public administration and to urgently bring the protections of the ECHR to Her Majesty's subjects in the island.","date":"2011-11-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"43038","proposer":"24767","edm":"1969","session":"2010-12","title":"Maximum Sentence For Dangerous Driving","text":"That this House believes that victims should be at the heart of the justice system; recognises that many victims of dangerous drivers are left with horrendous injuries, some have been left brain damaged, paralysed or with amputations and as long as the victim does not die the maximum sentence for dangerous driving is two years; further recognises that an increase to the maximum sentence for dangerous driving has widespread support from groups such as AA, Brake and The Victims Commissioner; notes that both the Labour Party and Conservative Party committed to increasing the sentence before the 2010 general election; and therefore calls on the Government to ensure justice for victims of dangerous driving by increasing the maximum sentence from two years to seven years.","date":"2011-06-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"42920","proposer":"10074","edm":"1853","session":"2010-12","title":"Mikhail Khodorkovsky And Political Prisoners In Russia","text":"That this House expresses deep concern following the decision made by the Moscow City Court in the appeal of political prisoners Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev; notes that the appeal was the last legal channel available to Khodorkovsky and Lebedev to seek justice within the Russian legal system; further notes many political prisoners in Russian jails have all but lost faith in the current Russian legal system; calls on the British Government to urge President Medvedev to work to reform the Russian legal system and to make good on his promise to eradicate legal nihilism in Russia; further calls on the Government to consider sanctions such as restricting visas for those involved in human rights abuses; and furthercalls on the Government to work with its European partners to strengthen the role of the European Court of Human Rights so that those political prisoners who seek justice before it will do so with confidence in a timely and fair judicial system.","date":"2011-05-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"42876","proposer":"24784","edm":"1812","session":"2010-12","title":"Imprisonment Of Mikhail Khodorkovsky And Others In Russia","text":"That this House expresses deep concern following the decision made by the Moscow City Court in the appeal of political prisoners Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev; notes that the appeal was the last legal channel available to Khodorkovsky and Lebedev to seek justice within the Russian legal system; further notes many political prisoners in Russian jails have all but lost faith in the current Russian legal system; calls on the Government to urge President Medvedev to work to reform the Russian legal system and to make good on his promise to eradicate legal nihilism in Russia; further calls on the Government to consider sanctions such as restricting visas for those involved in human rights abuses; and further calls on the Government to work with its European partners to strengthen the role of the European Court of Human Rights so that those political prisoners who seek justice before it will do so with confidence in a fair judicial system.","date":"2011-05-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"42159","proposer":"10543","edm":"1151","session":"2010-12","title":"Death Sentence Of Asiya Bibi","text":"That this House is deeply concerned that Asiya Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman, has been sentenced to death in Pakistan under the blasphemy laws; notes that she is the first woman to be sentenced to death under these laws; further notes that an appeal is pending; and calls on the Government and the international community to urgently lobby the government of Pakistan and to do everything it can to prevent such a barbaric act.","date":"2010-12-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"41898","proposer":"10327","edm":"911","session":"2010-12","title":"Death Sentence On Tariq Aziz","text":"That this House regards with deep revulsion the decision of the Iraqi regime to carry out a death by hanging sentence on Tariq Aziz; and points out that British servicemen and women did not die or risk their lives in Iraq in order to install a regime that indulges in judicial murder.","date":"2010-10-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"41844","proposer":"10761","edm":"863","session":"2010-12","title":"Trial Of Mikhail Khodorkovsky And Platon Lebedev","text":"That this House condemns the arrest and prosecution of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev and denounces the trial currently in process against them as politically motivated; notes that Khodorkovsky's case has been marred by severe human rights abuses and shares the concern of Amnesty International that the rights of the two defendants have been violated; supports the Italian Parliament, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Francois Zimeray, France's Human Rights Ambassador and other parliaments and politicians who have called on President Medvedev to take all measures to ensure the rule of law and respect for Khodorkovsky's rights; is concerned by the harassment of UK witnesses involved in the trial; further notes that Khodorkovsky has been detained illegally and has been subject to appalling treatment, kept in a glass booth in court, has been placed in solitary confinement for absurd reasons, denied full access to legal counsel and unfairly denied access to his family; believes that Khodorkovsky's case amplifies the recurring and systemic problems plaguing the Russian justice system; and calls on the Government to raise the case with President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin and to continue to demand that the Russian President and Prime Minister fulfil their pledge to end legal nihilism in Russia.","date":"2010-10-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"41833","proposer":"10383","edm":"854","session":"2010-12","title":"Justice For Oscar Grant Rally","text":"That this House sends a message of solidarity to the rally organised by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union to be held on 23 October 2010 to demand justice for Oscar Grant, a young black man killed by the Police at Fruitvale BART station in Oakland, California on New Year's Day 2009; and expresses its support for the call for justice in this case.","date":"2010-10-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"41358","proposer":"10120","edm":"417","session":"2010-12","title":"Linda Carty On Death Row In The Us","text":"That this House is deeply concerned about the fate of Linda Carty, the only British woman on death row in the United States; is dismayed that her execution date is likely to be announced soon by state officials in Texas following the rejection by the United States Supreme Court in May 2010 of reviewing her case; recalls that Texan state authorities allegedly neglected to inform British authorities that Ms Carty, who holds a UK dependent territory passport, had been detained, despite their obligations under the Vienna Convention on the Right to Consular Assistance and a bilateral treaty between the UK and the United States; notes that the organisation Reprieve has stated that Ms Carty's conviction in 2002 for the murder of a 25-year-old woman was `catastrophically flawed' and that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has previously complained of ineffective counsel at a court hearing in support of Ms Carty; and calls on the UK Government to raise Ms Carty's case as a matter of urgency with the relevant United States and Texan state authorities, including the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, who could grant clemency.","date":"2010-07-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"41086","proposer":"24784","edm":"108A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Law And Human Rights","text":"leave out from second `that' to end and insert `current universal jurisdiction legislation has allowed those with political agendas to exploit the legal system; notes that the current legislation undermines Britain's reputation as an effective venue for diplomacy; and therefore urges the Government immediately to seek an amendment to UK law - not to stifle meritorious complaints - but to ensure the important role Britain should play in international diplomacy can continue.'.","date":"2010-06-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"41023","proposer":"10133","edm":"108","session":"2010-12","title":"Law And Human Rights","text":"That this House believes that universal jurisdiction for human rights abuses is essential as part of the cause of bringing to justice those who commit crimes against humanity and will oppose any legislation to restrict this power of UK courts.","date":"2010-05-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"40988","proposer":"10527","edm":"74","session":"2010-12","title":"Conviction Of George Kelly","text":"That this House notes the quashing after the longest campaign in English legal history lasting 53 years of the conviction of George Kelly who was wrongly convicted of murder in the Cameo Cinema murder case and who was executed in 1950; recognises the efforts of those, including relatives who have died, who sought to overturn the conviction; and calls for a public inquiry into the gross miscarriage of justice.","date":"2010-05-25","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"40682","proposer":"11420","edm":"874A1","session":"2009-10","title":"Ugandan Mp David Bahati And Homosexuality","text":"leave out from `individual;' to `and further calls' in line 7, and insert `supports the actions of the leadership of the UK Scout Association in raising concerns about Mr Bahati's conduct through the World Organisation of the Scout Movement; believes that Mr Bahati's conduct is discriminatory, incompatible with and contrary to the values and belief in the sanctity of life held by the Scouting Movement worldwide;'.","date":"2010-03-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"40564","proposer":"10324","edm":"945","session":"2009-10","title":"Mandatory Five Year Prison Sentences","text":"That this House welcomes the Government's ending of the End of Custody Licence Scheme so that prisoners convicted of crimes will now serve the sentence of the courts, but considers that this scheme might not have been necessary if mandatory sentencing for administrative crimes such as possession of a prohibited firearm had been removed; recognises the inherent unfairness of mandatory sentences where no danger to the public exists, like that of two otherwise law-abiding constituents of the hon. Member for Clwyd South who were sentenced in this way and who, both in their late fifties, had no criminal record and who had formerly for many years been considered legal safe owners of firearms, were no danger to the public, but who were incarcerated unnecessarily at a time when the prison population was at a record high; calls on the Government to repeal this law, which has had little or no effect on illegal firearm use, and to allow the courts to exercise their judgement as to whether a custodial sentence is appropriate for public safety.","date":"2010-02-25","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"40495","proposer":"10001","edm":"886","session":"2009-10","title":"Crown Prosecution Service In London","text":"That this House is deeply concerned with the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate's (CPSI) recent report which rated the Hackney Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) unit as poor; notes that the CPSI report mentions the poor quality of decision making, lack of responsibility regarding the budget and heavy reliance on private agents; further notes the low conviction rate of Hackney CPS unit in relation to London and the national average; is further concerned that an area with such high public concern about crime should receive such a damning report; and believes that it is vital that the CPS rises to the challenge of raising standards in CPS units not just in Hackney but also in London and across the country.","date":"2010-02-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"40341","proposer":"10190","edm":"749","session":"2009-10","title":"Political Executions In Iran","text":"That this House condemns the hanging of Mohammad Reza Ali Zamani and Arash Rahmanipour in Iran at dawn on 28 January 2010; notes that they were arrested during pro-democracy demonstrations and convicted of waging war against God; and calls on the Government to urge the international community to put pressure on Iran to release political prisoners and to cease using execution and torture as tools of repression in Iran.","date":"2010-01-28","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"40304","proposer":"10022","edm":"713","session":"2009-10","title":"Seventh Anniversary Of Death Sentence For Tenzin Delek","text":"That this House notes that 26 January 2010 marks the seventh anniversary of the failed appeal by Tibetan Buddhist Lama, Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, against the death sentence he received in December 2002 following a closed-door trial that failed to meet even the most minimal international legal standards; further notes Ministers' public statements voicing serious concerns that international fair trial standards were not met in recent trials in China and Tibet; calls on the Government to do more than voice concerns at this ongoing lack of observance by China's internationally accepted due legal processes and an individual's right to a fair trial; urges the Government to set out and implement policies that encourage the Chinese government to bring China's legal system in line with those that are internationally accepted and draw up benchmarks for tangible progress; further calls on the Government to appeal for clemency or a re-trial for Tenzin Delek, whose death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 2005 but who is now suffering grave ill-health with high blood pressure, heart and leg problems; and further notes that over the summer of 2009, 40,000 Tibetans in Tenzin Delek's community in Lithang, Tibet, signed petitions asking for justice and a re-trial for Tenzin Delek.","date":"2010-01-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"40206","proposer":"10785","edm":"622","session":"2009-10","title":"Moratorium On Mongolian Death Penalty","text":"That this House welcomes the recent announcement by Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj of a moratorium on the death penalty and welcomes his call for the punishment to be abolished within Mongolia; notes that executions within Mongolia are highly secretive with exact execution numbers and the date of the last execution unknown; further notes that Mongolia has already implemented several moratoria on the death penalty which have later been overturned and that the President faces significant opposition to his calls in the Mongolian Parliament; further notes that Asia executes more individuals than the rest of the world combined, with Amnesty International estimating that at least 1,838 individuals were executed in 11 Asian countries in 2008; and calls on the Government to support President Tsakhia Elbegdorj's call for abolition so that Mongolia can set an example to its Asian neighbours that the death penalty has no place in modern justice systems.","date":"2010-01-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"40221","proposer":"11245","edm":"637","session":"2009-10","title":"European Public Prosecutor","text":"That this House notes with concern that Article 69E, Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters, of the Treaty of Lisbon provides for the creation of a European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), a judicial body in charge of investigating, with the power to order national police forces to initiate investigations; further notes with concern that the EPPO will have extensive powers and will not be accountable to the UK Parliament; believes that the creation of such a powerful undemocratic body would show complete disregard for the common law system in the UK; and calls on the Government to ensure that UK enforcement authorities continue to have sole jurisdiction in this country.","date":"2010-01-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"40082","proposer":"11621","edm":"509","session":"2009-10","title":"Universal Jurisdiction Legislation","text":"That this House believes that current Universal Jurisdiction legislation is detrimental to Britain's foreign diplomatic relations; notes that the current legislation has allowed those with political agendas to exploit the legal system and that the current legislation undermines Britain's reputation as an effective venue for diplomacy; and in this context urges the Government to seek immediately an amendment to UK law, not to stifle meritorious complaints, but to ensure the important role Britain should play in the Middle East Peace Process can continue.","date":"2009-12-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"40074","proposer":"10133","edm":"502","session":"2009-10","title":"Law And Human Rights","text":"That this House believes that universal jurisdiction for human rights abuses is essential as part of the cause of bringing to justice those who commit crimes against humanity and will oppose any legislation to restrict this power of UK courts.","date":"2009-12-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"40009","proposer":"10001","edm":"439","session":"2009-10","title":"Use Of Secret Evidence In Courts","text":"That this House believes the use of secret evidence in courts is fundamentally wrong; notes that secret evidence is evidence held by the Home Office against an individual that neither the individual, nor their legal representation, may see; further notes that in recent cases secret evidence has been used to detain individuals in prison for up to three years without charge or trial; further notes that these individuals may also be put under a control order or severe bail conditions; further believes that the use of secret evidence by the state against individuals runs entirely contrary to habeas corpus; recognises the European Court of Human Rights' ruling that detaining individuals on the basis of secret evidence is unlawful because `detainees had not been able to effectively challenge the allegations against them'; further recognises the High Court's rulings that `everyone is entitled to the disclosure of sufficient material to enable him to answer effectively the case that is made against him' in both control order and deportation order cases; is disappointed to learn that recent Special Immigration Appeals Court hearings have denied bail on the basis of no evidence whatsoever; and calls on the Government to respond immediately to the High Court ruling by ending the use of secret evidence in courts.","date":"2009-12-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"39848","proposer":"11245","edm":"288","session":"2009-10","title":"Sharia Councils And The Single Legal System","text":"That this House notes the increasing use of Sharia councils in some circumstances in the UK; further notes that a single legal system operates in the UK under the authority of the Crown; recognises the importance of rigorously adhering to and maintaining a single legal system to ensure the equal treatment of all citizens; and calls on the Government to ensure there is no acceptance in any way of any alternative legal systems in the UK.","date":"2009-11-30","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"39759","proposer":"11323","edm":"219","session":"2009-10","title":"Devolution Of Youth Justice Powers To Wales","text":"That this House welcomes the publication of a new report by the Howard League for Penal Reform and its key recommendations that youth justice powers be devolved to Wales; notes that significant numbers of adult prisoners began their immersion in the criminal justice system in their youth and that current policies are not successful in preventing crime; supports the development of youth justice towards a Nordic-style model for rehabilitation of children rather than punishment; and calls on the Secretary of State for Justice to enter into discussions in order to devolve responsibility for youth justice to the Welsh Ministers.","date":"2009-11-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"39596","proposer":"10527","edm":"59","session":"2009-10","title":"Conviction Of George Kelly","text":"That this House notes the quashing after the longest campaign in English legal history lasting 53 years of the conviction of George Kelly who was wrongly convicted of murder in the Cameo Cinema murder case and who was executed in 1950; recognises the efforts of those, including relatives who have died, who sought to overturn the conviction; and calls for a public inquiry into the gross miscarriage of justice.","date":"2009-11-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"39381","proposer":"13735","edm":"2106A1","session":"2008-09","title":"Child Executions In Iran","text":"leave out `child' and insert `all'.","date":"2009-10-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"39328","proposer":"11817","edm":"2096","session":"2008-09","title":"Murder Of Wpc Yvonne Fletcher","text":"That this House expresses astonishment at reports in the Daily Telegraph on 16 October 2009 that the Crown Prosecution Service believed there to be sufficient evidence two years ago to charge Matouk Mohammed Matouk and Abdulgader Mohammed Baghdadi in connection with the murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher outside the Libyan Embassy in 1984; deplores the Libyan government's continuing obstruction of efforts to bring her killers to justice; and calls on the Secretary of State for Justice to make a statement to the House immediately.","date":"2009-10-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"39338","proposer":"10190","edm":"2106","session":"2008-09","title":"Child Executions In Iran","text":"That this House condemns child executions in Iran; notes that there were eight juvenile executions in Iran in 2008; understands that there are over 140 children waiting on death row in Iran despite its commitment under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child to which it is state party; further notes that the practice of waiting until the prisoner turns 18 before executing them is deplorable; agrees with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, who has called for changes to Iranian law and practice `to end execution of juvenile offenders once and for all'; and calls on the Government to seek an end to child executions in Iran.","date":"2009-10-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"38651","proposer":"11420","edm":"1480","session":"2008-09","title":"Arrest Of Senator Stuart Syvret","text":"That this House deplores the arrest and detention of Senator Stuart Syvret by the Jersey Police Force for alleged infractions of data protection laws; notes that the Senator was in receipt of information disclosed in the public interest, with which he is attempting to hold the Jersey government to account for a variety of profoundly serious child protection and clinical governance failures; condemns the manner of the Senator's arrest and the subsequent searching of his home by the police without a search warrant; further condemns the fact that substantial quantities of his constituents' private data were taken and copied by the Jersey police; considers this an intimidatory and anti-democratic action which the Senator is virtually powerless to challenge given the politicisation of the Jersey judiciary and the propensity of the Jersey legislature to oppress minority members; and calls on the Secretary of State for Justice to fulfil his duties by exercising his constitutional powers to intervene and ensure good governance and the proper administration of justice in Jersey though requiring a separation of powers and the imposition of effective checks and balances in order that survivors of child abuse, and other victims of malfeasance gain the proper protection of justice; and considers that through such actions the UK will return to compliance with its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, obligations which are breached by tolerating the situation in Jersey.","date":"2009-05-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"38455","proposer":"10001","edm":"1308","session":"2008-09","title":"Secret Evidence","text":"That this House believes the use of secret evidence in UK courts is fundamentally wrong; notes that secret evidence is evidence held by the Home Office against an individual that neither the individual, nor their legal representation, may see; further notes that in recent cases secret evidence has been used to detain individuals in prison for up to three years without charge or trial; further notes that these individuals may also be put under a control order or severe bail conditions, greatly limiting their movements and ability to lead a healthy life; further believes that the use of secret evidence by the state against individuals runs entirely contrary to Habeas Corpus; recognises the European Court of Human Rights' ruling that detaining individuals on the basis of secret evidence is unlawful because detainees had not been able to effectively challenge the allegations against them; and calls on the Government to begin an immediate independent review into the use of evidence that is not ever heard by the defendant or their lawyer but which is used to justify indefinite detention, severe bail conditions or control orders.","date":"2009-04-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"38296","proposer":"10527","edm":"1176","session":"2008-09","title":"Conviction Of George Kelly","text":"That this House notes the quashing after the longest campaign in English legal history lasting 53 years of the conviction of George Kelly who was wrongly convicted of murder in the Cameo Cinema murder case and who was executed in 1950; recognises the efforts of those, including relatives who have died, who sought to overturn the conviction; and calls for a public inquiry into the gross miscarriage of justice.","date":"2009-03-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"38242","proposer":"13712","edm":"1130","session":"2008-09","title":"Miscarriages Of Justice","text":"That this House expresses concern at the high number of miscarriages of justice, which has led to 112 appeals for wrongful conviction being successfully upheld by the Court of Appeal since 1997, including high profile cases such as the Guildford Four and the Birmingham Six; recognises the trauma these victims have endured both during their imprisonment and after they have been released from prison; accepts that the severity of the trauma experienced by these individuals requires specialised counselling and aftercare that is currently not provided by the Government; praises the work of the charity the Miscarriages of Justice Organisation in helping those who have been wrongfully imprisoned reintegrated into society; and calls for the immediate establishment of a retreat to provide victims of miscarriages of justice with effective counselling and psychological aftercare to aid their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.","date":"2009-03-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"37935","proposer":"11489","edm":"858","session":"2008-09","title":"Elizabeth Prosser","text":"That this House notes with concern that US authorities have made a request to extradite Mrs Elizabeth Prosser on charges of child abduction and obtaining money by deception; further notes that Mrs Prosser is charged with abducting her own daughter and that as such the case is highly emotive, that there are significant mitigating factors and that the sums of money involved are negligible; acknowledges that because of concerns over Mrs Prosser's health, the Home Office has delayed its decision; further notes that recent medical reports show that her condition would be worsened and that substantial damage to her health would be done by extraditing her; recognises that the Government has rejected attempts to extradite Mrs Prosser previously; believes that given her health problems and the mitigating factors surrounding the offences of which she is accused, extraditing Mrs Prosser would neither be humane nor in the public interest; and urges the Home Office to intervene.","date":"2009-02-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"37591","proposer":"10777","edm":"562","session":"2008-09","title":"Tribunals And Inquiries (S.i., 2008, No. 2699)","text":"That the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber) Rules 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2699), dated 9 October 2008, a copy of which was laid before this House on 15 October, in the previous Session of Parliament, be revoked.","date":"2009-01-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"37141","proposer":"11420","edm":"149","session":"2008-09","title":"Capacity For Litigation And The Official Solicitor","text":"That this House notes the case R. P. v The United Kingdom in the European Court of Human Rights which relates to a case in England in which the Government has publicly been asked to justify its position regarding the imposition of the Official Solicitor on a mother without availability to her of a second opinion, and the subsequent concession of the case without a trial; and calls upon the Government to review the operation of the Official Solicitor.","date":"2008-12-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"37123","proposer":"10389","edm":"132","session":"2008-09","title":"Shoplifting","text":"That this House notes that there were 290,625 recorded incidences of retail theft in 2007-08, that shoplifting offences attract Penalty Notices for Disorder (PND) which carry a fine of \u00c2\u00a380 and that 40 per cent. of all PND go unpaid; further notes that multiple PND are being issued to some individuals who have no means of payment or intention to pay, and that PND should only be issued when there is likelihood of payment; further notes that under 50 per cent. of all community orders were served in full in 2007; urges the Government to amend the Association of Chief Police Officer guidelines to ensure that the issuing of PND reflect police judgement that the individual has the capacity to pay, and that a PND is the most appropriate sentence in the circumstances; further urges the Government to ensure that the Police National Computer is maintained and updated at all times and does not allow for the issuing of repeat PND across constabularies; further urges the Sentencing Guidelines Council to ensure that community orders are completed in full, and that the sentencing guidelines are enforced to ensure that offenders with drink or drug problems are issued with sentences that recognise those problems with an appropriate rehabilitation order; and recommends that sentencing guidelines be revised to ensure that strict sentences are issued when a PND is not paid withn 21 days, or where repeat or aggravated offences are committed.","date":"2008-12-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"37089","proposer":"10224","edm":"99","session":"2008-09","title":"Staff In The Criminal Justice System","text":"That this House values the work of the staff who are employed in the Criminal Justice System for their efforts to deliver a good service despite difficult conditions and circumstances; and therefore urges the Government to ensure that staff are paid an appropriate rate for the service they provide, that workloads are eased to containable and realistic levels and that sufficient resources are allocated to allow staff to carry out their statutory duties efficiently and effectively.","date":"2008-12-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"36848","proposer":"10224","edm":"2447","session":"2007-08","title":"Contracting Out (S.i., 2008, No. 2791)","text":"That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Contracting Out (Administrative and Other Court Staff) (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2791), dated 23rd October 2008, a copy of which was laid before this House on 28th October, be annulled.","date":"2008-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"36777","proposer":"11573","edm":"2388","session":"2007-08","title":"Extradition Of Gary Mckinnon","text":"That this House notes the accepted practice of the governments of Israel and the Netherlands of requiring assurances from the US Administration prior to their nationals being deported to face trial in the United States in cases involving defendants suffering from medical or mental health disabilities, that those nationals will be repatriated to serve any sentence imposed by the relevant United States court; and urges the Home Secretary not to permit the extradition to the United States of Mr Gary McKinnon of Palmers Green, London, an Asperger's syndrome sufferer charged with computer misuse in the United States, until such time as she receives express assurances from the US Administration that in the event of his being found guilty and sentenced to a term of imprisonment that administration agrees to the immediate repatriation of Mr McKinnon post trial to serve any such sentence in the United Kingdom.","date":"2008-10-30","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"36680","proposer":"10428","edm":"2312","session":"2007-08","title":"Appeals Tribunal Service","text":"That this House is concerned about the inefficiencies which currently exist within the Appeals Tribunal Service which render it unable to function as intended; notes the case of Priscilla Furlong, a GMB trade union member from the East Midlands area, who first applied for industrial injuries disablement benefit in early 2005 but since had to endure a large number of appeal hearings to press her case; further notes that one hearing had to be cancelled because the tribunal failed to recognise that barrister representation was necessary and that a further cancellation two months later was caused because the service had hired an expert orthopaedic consultant instead of a psychiatrist; and believes a complete overhaul of the service needs to be instigated by the Government, not least because of the vast amounts of public money wasted on the administration of cases that take years of costly appeals.","date":"2008-10-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"36483","proposer":"11816","edm":"2134","session":"2007-08","title":"Sharia Law","text":"That this House notes the views of the Centre for Islamic Pluralism that for non-Muslim authorities to propose the introduction of Sharia as a legal standard for Muslims in any non-Muslim land is not only absurdly patronising and discriminatory but also violates the canons of traditional Sharia law; calls on the Lord Chief Justice to accept that his comments have caused a considerable amount of damage to community cohesion in the UK and to the principle of integration; and further calls on the Government to confirm that Sharia law will have no place in the British legal system in any shape or form, in accordance with the wishes of the estimated two thirds of Muslims who oppose its introduction.","date":"2008-07-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"36488","proposer":"10133","edm":"2139","session":"2007-08","title":"Murder Of Munir Said Thalib","text":"That this House recognises and supports the work of KASUM (The Committee for Solidarity With Munir) to bring those responsible for the murder of Indonesian human rights defender Munir Said Thalib to account; welcomes the progress made so far in connection with the case; further welcomes the recent arrest of Major General Muchdi Purwoprandjono, a former member of the Indonesian state intelligence agency BIN; requests the UK Government to ask the Indonesian government to make public the report by an independent fact-finding team into the Munir case, ordered by the Indonesian President, and to ensure that all those responsible for Munir's death are brought before the courts; further requests the UK Government to monitor closely the continuing developments in the case; and encourages the UK Government to support human rights defenders, independent journalists and civil society activists in Indonesia.","date":"2008-07-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"36456","proposer":"11589","edm":"2109","session":"2007-08","title":"Sarah Conlon","text":"That this House mourns the death of Sarah Conlon; recalls the enormous burden of injustice and frustration which she had to bear as a result of the wrongful conviction of her son Gerry and husband Guiseppe; acknowledges the dignity and determination of her long campaign to assert their innocence; commends her consistent spirit of forgiveness and lack of bitterness which she consistently showed even when her ill husband suffered and died in jail; recognises that Prime Minister Tony Blair's clear statement of apology and exoneration to the Conlons, the Guildford Four and the Maguire family in 2005 brought considerable comfort to Sarah Conlon in her final years; and salutes the memory and example of a woman of remarkable faith, fortitude and forgiveness.","date":"2008-07-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"36386","proposer":"10961","edm":"2044","session":"2007-08","title":"Justice After Acquittal","text":"That this House notes the launch on 24th June of Justice After Acquittal; congratulates the co-founders, Ann Roberts and Carole Longe, on establishing this campaigning and support group to represent the interests of families like their own who have suffered the double injustice of the loss of a loved one and the failure of the criminal justice system; calls for more to be done to support the families of victims during and after the trials of those accused of the murder or manslaughter of their family members; and urges the Government to consider a change in the law to provide for a `not decided' verdict in cases where the jury is unable to reach a decision and to provide for decisions of juries in certain circumstances to be subject to judicial review.","date":"2008-07-15","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"36212","proposer":"11607","edm":"1891","session":"2007-08","title":"Cost Of Telephone Calls For Prisoners","text":"That this House welcomes the super-complaint on the high cost of telephone calls for prisoners lodged with Ofcom by the national consumer councils of England, Scotland and Wales and supported by the Prison Reform Trust; is concerned that the cost of a 30-minute call from a prison to a landline is over seven times more expensive than the equivalent call from a public payphone; is further concerned at the persistently high cost of telephone calls for prisoners, at a time when costs for other basic telephone services have fallen by 60 per cent.; notes that prisoners are six times less likely to reoffend if they have a supportive family network to return to when they come out, and that almost half of people in prison lose contact with their families during their sentence; and calls on the Government to ensure that current and future contracts for providing telephone services for prisoners require providers to charge fair prices.","date":"2008-06-25","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"36165","proposer":"10218","edm":"1855","session":"2007-08","title":"Deaths At Work And Health And Safety Executive Enforcement","text":"That this House notes the findings of the recent Centre for Crime and Justice Studies Briefing which showed that there is a much higher chance of being killed by working than by inter-personal violence, and that there is a crisis in Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforcement indicated by a 49 per cent. fall in prosecutions by HSE over a five year period; and calls on the Government to introduce the following interim measures to implement in full and immediately the recommendations of the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee in its 2004 report, The Work of the Health and Safety Commission and its Executive, HC 456, to amend the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations to provide new rights for workplace safety representatives to stop the job where a hazard or risk of injury is identified, to introduce positive legal duties on directors to ensure the safety of workers and members of the public, and to require the HSE to develop proposals for publicising sentences of convicted companies.","date":"2008-06-23","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"36076","proposer":"10465","edm":"1777","session":"2007-08","title":"42-Day Detention For Terrorist Suspects","text":"That this House regrets the extension of detention without charge to a maximum of 42 days; notes that similar measures were used in Northern Ireland during the Troubles; recalls that this power was at that time referred to as internment; believes such measures led to an increase in recruiting activity by the IRA; and observes that the current Government has learned nothing about conflict resolution from the lessons of the Troubles.","date":"2008-06-11","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35970","proposer":"10224","edm":"1686","session":"2007-08","title":"Staff In The Criminal Justice System","text":"That this House recognises the contribution made to public safety by the police, prison officers, probation, courts and Crown Prosecution Service staff; and therefore calls on the Government without delay to ensure that staff in the criminal justice system can carry out their statutory duties in an efficient and effective manner.","date":"2008-06-03","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35935","proposer":"10190","edm":"1653","session":"2007-08","title":"Aung San Suu Kyi","text":"That this House is saddened that Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leader in Burma, has had her house arrest extended by the Burma junta; notes that she has been held without trial for more than 12 of the last 18 years; and calls on the Government to urge the Burma junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi and the further 2,000 political prisoners so that democratic politics can be restored to Burma.","date":"2008-06-02","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35948","proposer":"10057","edm":"1667","session":"2007-08","title":"Krishna Maharaj","text":"That this House asks respectfully that the Florida Board of Executive Clemency led by Governor Charlie Crist grant the application for release by Krishna Maharaj, the British national imprisoned for 22 years of which 10 were on death row; recognises that the role of clemency can have results similar in effect to the British process of the Criminal Cases Review Commission; thanks the Florida authorities for granting the waiver that has allowed the hearing on 5th June and welcomes the recent understanding letter by the British Foreign Secretary to the Governor that followed the letter last year giving the British Government's support for Mr Maharaj's clemency plea; knows that the clemency hearing is not a new trial that was not ordered by the appeal courts but understands that in retrospect it is agreed that there have been unusual numbers of difficulties and unanswered questions in the detection, prosecution, witness evidence, trial, sentencing and legal representation following the undoubted crimes; remembers that Mr Maharaj has been an exemplary prisoner, always calmly maintaining his innocence; and requests that the sentence be reduced to a length that allows the release of this elderly man in ill health so he would return to the United Kingdom.","date":"2008-06-02","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35923","proposer":"10133","edm":"1641","session":"2007-08","title":"Victor Jara Investigation","text":"That this House expresses its condemnation of the proposal in Chile to close the legal investigation into the murder of Victor Jara; notes that those who committed crimes in the former Chile Stadium should not enjoy impunity, since the stadium was under the control of the Chilean armed forces in the days following the military coup when these crimes were committed; and believes that the Chilean courts and Chilean government should now act to ensure that the armed forces hand over information which will enable the officers responsible for the crimes to be identiifed and facilitate the continuance of the investigation into this case which is symbolic both for Chile and the world.","date":"2008-05-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35901","proposer":"10521","edm":"1623","session":"2007-08","title":"Publication Of Addresses Of Judges","text":"That this House notes the reasons given by the High Court as to why the addresses of hon. and right hon. Members can be published; and considers in the same spirit of openness and public accountability that the home addresses of High Court judges, who are adult, law-abiding citizens and holders of public office in the public eye, should also be published along with a detailed break-down of the expenses which they charge to the public purse.","date":"2008-05-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35757","proposer":"10614","edm":"1491","session":"2007-08","title":"Judicial Appointments And Diversity","text":"That this House is both alarmed and disappointed that the system of judicial appointments has failed to appoint a single black and minority ethnic candidate to a senior judicial position in the two years since the inception of the Judicial Appointments Commission; notes that this system has also failed to recommend a sufficient number of black and minority ethnic candidates for appointment in other competitions; believes that it is of crucial importance that the judiciary properly reflects the society it serves; and calls for an open and independent inquiry by the Government into the judicial appointments system to identify the specific causes for these failures and to take action to address them as a matter of urgency.","date":"2008-05-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35675","proposer":"10177","edm":"1424","session":"2007-08","title":"ANNIVERSARY OF BISHOP JOHN JOSEPH'S DEATH AND PAKISTAN'S BLASPHEMY LAW","text":"That this House recalls the death of Bishop John Joseph on 6th May 1998, who shot himself to protest against the blasphemy law and the sentencing of Ayub Masih to death for blasphemy in Pakistan; notes that abuses continue to occur under Pakistan's blasphemy law including sentencing Younis Masih to death for blasphemy last year; notes that those who are accused suffer retributive attacks and severe mistreatment, particularly in prison, and even those who are acquitted remain at risk of violent attack by extremists and are therefore forced to live in hiding or exile; notes that the blasphemy law is open to abuse as it only requires the testimony of one person for charges to be brought, no proof of intent is needed and the definition of blasphemy is inadequate; further notes that lawyers and human rights defenders regularly receive death threats when defending blasphemy cases; further notes the recent election of a new government in Pakistan under Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani; and so calls upon Mr Gillani's government to repeal the blasphemy law and for Pakistan to adhere to its responsibilities under international law.","date":"2008-04-24","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35560","proposer":"10685","edm":"1321","session":"2007-08","title":"Murder Of Serge Maheshe","text":"That this House expresses its great distress at the murder in Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo of the UN radio journalist Serge Maheshe; notes with gravest concern the report of the United Nations identifying gross shortcomings in the investigation of the crime and the trial of two of Mr Maheshe's colleagues currently under sentence of death for the murder; and calls on the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to address the deficiencies already identified and to ensure a free and fair appeal process.","date":"2008-04-02","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35530","proposer":"10221","edm":"1294","session":"2007-08","title":"Sentencing","text":"That this House is deeply concerned that lack of capacity in both the prison and probation services is undermining the ability of judges and magistrates to sentence appropriately; and urges the Government to ensure that sufficient resources are available to implement a system to ensure courts can sentence appropriately.","date":"2008-04-01","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35531","proposer":"10383","edm":"1295","session":"2007-08","title":"Criminal Justice System Morale","text":"That this House believes that cuts to the police force, Prison Service, probation service, Crown Prosecution Service and the courts are severely affecting the ability of those services to carry out their statutory functions; further believes that pay restraint is undermining morale and will lead to difficulties of recruitment and retention for all the agencies of the criminal justice system; and urges the Government to urgently review the adequacy of the funding of those services.","date":"2008-04-01","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35484","proposer":"10383","edm":"1250","session":"2007-08","title":"Death Penalty In Pakistan","text":"That this House notes with concern that a man arrested by Pakistani authorities as Manjit Singh has been sentenced to be executed at the end of April 2008; notes that the man's family claim he is a victim of mistaken identity, and that his name is Sarabjit Singh; further notes that he was arrested in 1990 on charges of having worked for Indian intelligence, but has since been convicted of involvement in lethal bomb attacks in 1990; and calls on the Prime Minister both to make representations to the President of Pakistan to use his powers under Article 45 of the Constitution to commute the death sentence, and further to encourage Pakistan to abolish the death penalty.","date":"2008-03-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35452","proposer":"10172","edm":"1225","session":"2007-08","title":"Colin Worton","text":"That this House recognises the injustice caused to the UDR 4 and Colin Worton in particular who was wrongly accused of involvement in murder; commends Colin for his ongoing campaign to have his name cleared; and calls on the Government to make an appropriate compensation payment to Colin Worton in light of this injustice.","date":"2008-03-19","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35463","proposer":"10785","edm":"1236","session":"2007-08","title":"Death Sentence Of Troy Anthony Davis","text":"That this House notes with concern the conviction of Troy Anthony Davis on a charge of murdering the police officer Mark MacPhail in Georgia in 1989; notes that Mr Davis is facing the death penalty in Georgia and that there are substantial concerns and questions being raised by campaigning organisations regarding the safety of his conviction; further notes that 127 individuals have been released from death rows across the United States due to wrongful conviction; and therefore urges the UK Government to make representations to the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles for a demonstration of its strong commitment to fairness and justice by commuting the death sentence of Troy Anthony Davis.","date":"2008-03-19","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35403","proposer":"11589","edm":"1182","session":"2007-08","title":"Aegis Specialist Risk Management","text":"That this House regards upholding the rule of law as a primary duty of all servants of the state; rejects the statement by Aegis Specialist Risk Management that there was political motivation behind the convictions of Guardsmen James Fisher and Mark Wright for the murder of innocent teenager Peter McBride in Belfast in 1992; calls upon this company to demonstrate full and due regard for rulings of the Court of Appeal in this and other cases; calls upon the Secretary of State for Defence to review the suitability of this company for public contracts in view of its demonstrable disregard for the rule of law; notes that the United States Department of Defense has recently awarded a two year contract for work in Iraq worth $475 million to Aegis Specialist Risk Management; and asks the Government to make representations reflecting concerns on this matter to the relevant authorities in the United States.","date":"2008-03-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35329","proposer":"11420","edm":"1114","session":"2007-08","title":"Conviction Of Martin Mccabe","text":"That this House notes that the Court of Appeal refused the appeal of Martin McCabe against his criminal conviction for assisting his pregnant wife to leave the country with her son.","date":"2008-03-04","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35238","proposer":"10436","edm":"1040","session":"2007-08","title":"Child Protection In Jersey","text":"That this House commends the campaign waged by Senator Stuart Syvret in Jersey to draw attention to the long-standing problem of child abuse in the island; condemns the attacks made on him by the establishment elite which controls Jersey's political and judicial institutions, attacks which after a long period of vilification and denigration eventually saw Syvret's removal from office; regrets that his warnings are now being proved true; and urges the Lord Chancellor, as Minister responsible for the good governance of Jersey, to take steps to ensure that independent judges and prosecutors, with no prior connection with Jersey, are appointed, without delay, to deal with any criminal or civil cases which may arise from the child abuse controversies, to ensure the necessary impartiality of the judicial processes, and that there is a judicially empowered independent enquiry with an outside Chair into child abuse and the concealment of child abuse in Jersey on the grounds that the political authorities have failed to deal with the problems and are seriously compromised by their repeated failures to act properly and their publicly stated concerns to protect the reputation of the island, so that were they to undertake the wide ranging investigation required, they would, effectively, need to put themselves on trial as well.","date":"2008-02-26","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35246","proposer":"10785","edm":"1048","session":"2007-08","title":"Counter Terrorism Bill","text":"That this House notes with concern Clause 27 (Jurisdiction to try offences committed in the UK) in the Counter Terrorism Bill, which would allow terrorism offences committed in Scotland to be tried in any court in the United Kingdom; recognises that the constitutional independence of the Scottish legal system was recognised in the Act of Union in 1707; believes that Clause 27 represents an unjustified and unconstitutional attack on the integrity of the independent Scottish legal system; and calls on UK Ministers to support an Amendment to remove Clause 27 from the Counter Terrorism Bill.","date":"2008-02-26","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35226","proposer":"10383","edm":"1029","session":"2007-08","title":"European Federation Of Public Services Union European Action Day","text":"That this House notes that on 28th February 2008, the European Federation of Public Service Unions and its affiliates from 10 countries including the Public and Commercial Services Union and the Royal College of Nursing in the United Kingdom are organising a European Action Day to raise awareness on the European-wide issue of prison overcrowding; further notes that with the prison population increasing in almost all EU countries over the past decade to currently stand at over 600,000, a majority of prisons in Europe are facing overcrowding problems with more prisoners than establishments can accommodate in a physically and psychologically healthy and humane way; further notes that there are on average 25 per cent. more detainees than facilities are designed for; and calls on the Government to work with trade unions and other stakeholders within the criminal justice system to improve the working and living conditions in prisons and to reduce the numbers of prisoners by improving and investing in prevention, legal protection, alternatives to imprisonment and rehabilitation.","date":"2008-02-25","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35126","proposer":"10428","edm":"945","session":"2007-08","title":"Tribunals","text":"That this House recalls the relatively recent establishment of the Tribunals Service which has already led to responsibility for many larger tribunals, including employment tribunals transferring to it, with the remaining ones to follow in a phased programme of integration; is also aware of the various interconnected reviews which are taking place in this process; is concerned that such examinations should not lessen the important contribution made by lay members, in particular the long-standing practice of tripartite decision-making, especially concerning employment problems relating to grievance, discipline and\/or discrimination cases; believes the purpose of such a service would not be best served by the replacement of this structure with one of judges sitting alone to decide cases; and calls on the Government not to downgrade the role of lay members on such bodies but instead to enhance this unique form of democratic due process.","date":"2008-02-18","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"35083","proposer":"10726","edm":"907","session":"2007-08","title":"Legal Services Commission (S.i., 2007, No. 3552)","text":"That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Criminal Defence Service (Funding) (Amendment) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3552), dated 18th December 2007, a copy of which was laid before this House on 19th December, be annulled.","date":"2008-02-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34723","proposer":"11719","edm":"578","session":"2007-08","title":"LEGAL AID TO SERVICEMEN'S FAMILIES","text":"That this House notes that legal aid has been made readily available to a vast number of people and groups in the United Kingdom; recalls that legal aid has been given to allow for, amongst other things, a schoolgirl's father to sue a headteacher over a school's uniform policy, for a murderer to repeatedly protest his right to have a baby by IVF, and for a terrorist associate to resist extradition and punishment; understands from the Legal Services Commission's website that the Commission helps over two million people a year; expresses surprise and dismay that the families of nine RAF servicemen who were shot down and killed in Iraq in 2005 will not qualify for automatic legal aid to help them work through the legal complexities of the case; further notes that the family of an Australian serviceman killed in the same attack has been granted legal aid by their home country; and therefore calls on the Legal Services Commission to reconsider this case as a matter of urgency and allow these families of British soldiers access to legal aid as soon as possible.","date":"2007-12-13","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34711","proposer":"10123","edm":"568","session":"2007-08","title":"Fraud Prosecutions","text":"That this House congratulates the US corporate fraud prosecuting authorities upon the conviction of Conrad Black; notes the failure of the equivalent UK authorities to secure convictions in high-profile cases; and remains concerned that the City of London Corporate Fraud Unit is not as effective as its American counterpart.","date":"2007-12-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34674","proposer":"10487","edm":"533","session":"2007-08","title":"Conduct Of Lord Black Of Crossharbour And Membership Of The House Of Lords","text":"That this House notes the conviction in the United States of Lord Black of Crossharbour on charges of fraud and obstruction of justice; and believes that the rules for disqualification from membership of the House of Lords should mirror those of this House.","date":"2007-12-11","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34677","proposer":"10295","edm":"536","session":"2007-08","title":"Prison Officers","text":"That this House notes the important role played by prison officers across the UK; recognises that in addition to custodial duties prison officers perform a number of duties including providing appropriate care and support for prisoners at risk of self harm, promoting anti-bullying and suicide prevention policies, taking an active part in rehabilitation programmes for prisoners, and assessing and advising prisoners, using their own experiences and integrity; believes that prison officers are sometimes under-valued and not given the credit they deserve for performing essential duties; and calls on the Government to ensure that more support is given to prison officers who face difficult and challenging circumstances and often face assaults and threats of physical violence.","date":"2007-12-11","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34696","proposer":"11798","edm":"555","session":"2007-08","title":"Bangladesh","text":"That this House is concerned at the circumstances surrounding the detention in Bangladesh of both the former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and the former Prime Minister and leader of the opposition Sheikh Hasina; urges the caretaker Government to ensure that all allegations against these ladies are closely scrutinised to ensure that there are no malicious or politically motivated denunciations; further notes the allegations of the apparent suppression of political free speech which has culminated in the recent jailing of four Bangladeshi university professors; and calls on the caretaker Government to ensure that lawful protest and freedom of political expression is allowed.","date":"2007-12-11","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34663","proposer":"10492","edm":"523","session":"2007-08","title":"Arrest And Detention Of Paramjit Singh In The Punjab","text":"That this House notes the many and continuing representations to the Foreign Secretary made by British Sikhs on behalf of Paramjit Singh, a British citizen; notes that his detention in the Punjab has now continued for one year causing great concern for his safety; is dismayed that the Foreign Secretary has not given the same expeditious consideration to Paramjit's detention in a Punjab prison as he appears to have given to the plight of Ms Gibbons in a Sudanese prison; and, in the absence of the Punjab authorities providing any credible explanation for Paramjit's detention, calls on the Government to press for his immediate release.","date":"2007-12-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34665","proposer":"10190","edm":"525","session":"2007-08","title":"Death Penalty For Juvenile Offenders In Iran","text":"That this House deplores the flouting of clear and specific human rights obligations by Iran in the case of Makwan Mouladzadeh, aged 20; regrets that Mouladzadeh was hanged on 4th December 2007 in defiance of Ayatollah Shahrudi's order to stay the execution pending review of the case; understands that Mouladzadeh was sentenced to death for crimes allegedly committed when he was 13 years old; condemns this decision, given that all of his accusers had recanted their statements and he had repudiated his confession as being coerced by the police; notes that Iran has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, both of which treaties bar the imposition of the death penalty for offences committed under the age of 18; is dismayed that Iran executes more juvenile offenders than any other state; and urges HM Government to press the Iranian regime to fulfil its obligations under the two treaties.","date":"2007-12-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34667","proposer":"10383","edm":"527","session":"2007-08","title":"Police Pay","text":"That this House calls upon the Government to honour the pay award recommended by the Police Arbitration Board in full.","date":"2007-12-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34668","proposer":"10221","edm":"528","session":"2007-08","title":"Probation Service","text":"That this House believes that the Probation Service in England and Wales must be permitted to carry out its statutory duties unhindered by unnecessary Government interference; further believes that National Offender Management Service bureaucracy is of questionable value and that the Government's managment of the Probation Service has been inadequate and the cause of loss of staff and staff morale and of a deterioration in the quality of services and the level of protection to the public; and therefore urges Her Majesty's Government to review its policies with regard to the Probation Service.","date":"2007-12-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34669","proposer":"11420","edm":"529","session":"2007-08","title":"Charles Roy Taylor","text":"That this House notes that Charles Roy Taylor has been imprisoned for 20 months for the offence of being in contact with his step-grandson; wonders if this is a good use of scarce prison resources; and calls for the Secretary of State for Justice to consider whether he should be released for Christmas.","date":"2007-12-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34616","proposer":"10123","edm":"483","session":"2007-08","title":"Detention And Treatment Of Sheikh Hasina","text":"That this House is concerned at the continuing detention in Bangladesh of former Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Sheikh Hasina; notes the BBC News Report of 3rd December 2007 that the main witness against her, her cousin Mr Sheikh Selim has sought to withdraw his statement, with his lawyer Syed Rezaur telling the court that Sheikh Selim was tortured repeatedly when he was on remand, and that at one stage, he could not bear the pressure and agreed to give the confessional statement; further notes that reports of interrogation under torture to obtain confessions in Bangladesh are well documented by international human rights organisations, such as Human Rights Watch; and on this basis is concerned that the case against Sheikh Hasina is politically motivated and risks not being a fair trial.","date":"2007-12-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34603","proposer":"10224","edm":"470","session":"2007-08","title":"Probation Budget Cuts","text":"That this House believes that the Probation Service in England and Wales must be properly funded in order to carry out its statutory duties; believes that the cuts scheduled for the next three financial years will result in a loss of staff and a deterioration in the quality of services; and therefore urges the Government to review these budget proposals.","date":"2007-12-04","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34571","proposer":"10857","edm":"442","session":"2007-08","title":"Sentencing Policy For Serious Sexual Offences Against Children","text":"That this House notes the widespread concern in Northern Ireland regarding recent sentences passed down for serious sexual offences where the victims were children; recognises the long-term damage done to the victims in such cases and the need for all those in authority to be more aware of the adverse consequences for the victims, some of whom are very young; and demands an urgent review of sentencing policy in Northern Ireland so that sentences better reflect the depravity of the crime in each and every case especially where the offender is a persistent one who poses a continuing risk to society in general and children in particular.","date":"2007-11-29","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34556","proposer":"10371","edm":"435","session":"2007-08","title":"MIND'S REPORT ANOTHER ASSAULT","text":"That this House believes everyone has an equal right to personal safety and to live a life free from fear and victimisation; is disturbed by the high levels of crime and harassment experienced by people with mental health problems living in the community highlighted in Mind's report Another Assault; is concerned at the shortcomings of the criminal justice system when responding to the needs of mental health service users who are victims of crime; and calls on the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, legal professions, health service providers, relevant Government departments and the Equality and Human Rights Commission to consider carefully the recommendations in Another Assault.","date":"2007-11-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34471","proposer":"11607","edm":"351","session":"2007-08","title":"Former British Detainees In Saudi Arabia","text":"That this House believes that James Lee, Sandy Mitchell, Dr William Samson and Les Walker were tortured into falsely confessing to the murder of Christopher Rodway by the Saudi Arabian authorities and were wrongly convicted of the crime in 2001; notes that Amnesty International has reported that `justice cannot be done nor seen to be done' in Saudi Arabia; is concerned that the four men have struggled to find full-time employment because of their murder convictions; strongly regrets that the UK Government backed the Saudi regime in the House of Lords by arguing that its officials were protected by state immunity while simultaneously claiming that it `condemns torture in all its forms and works to eradicate it wherever it occurs'; firmly believes that the UK Government has a duty to defend its citizens when they have been mistreated by a foreign dictatorship which has such a blatant disregard for human rights; and calls upon the Government to support moves to clear the names of the four men.","date":"2007-11-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34474","proposer":"10133","edm":"354","session":"2007-08","title":"Rape Victims In Saudi Arabia","text":"That this House is appalled that a 19 year old victim of gang rape has been sentenced to 200 lashes by Qatif General Court in Saudi Arabia; notes that her sentence was doubled because she spoke to the media; further notes that after representing her Abdulrahman Al-leikeim had his attorney's licence revoked; and therefore calls upon the Foreign Secretary to make the strongest possible representations to the Saudi Arabian Government over this grotesque abuse of women's rights.","date":"2007-11-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34256","proposer":"10283","edm":"160","session":"2007-08","title":"Composition Of Juries","text":"That this House notes the decision of the House of Lords in the cases of R v Abdroikov, R v Green and R v Williamson; and believes that the law should be amended so as to exclude police officers and prosecutors employed by the Crown Prosecution Service from serving on a jury.","date":"2007-11-08","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34217","proposer":"11420","edm":"127","session":"2007-08","title":"Family Courts","text":"That this House regrets the Government's proposals to retain secrecy within the family courts; believes that this secrecy permeates bad practice throughout the whole system of children services; feels that it is possible to protect the identity of the child while allowing parents to talk and seek advice publicly about their treatment in the family courts, and that professional witnesses should be uniquely identified to monitor consistency; further believes that every case should have an anonymised judgement handed to the parents that they can discuss publicly; and calls on the Government to recognise that there are very serious problems in the system that have been postponed rather than resolved by the limited proposals contained within the consultation document.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Administration of justice","id":"34220","proposer":"11420","edm":"130","session":"2007-08","title":"Capacity For Litigation And The Official Solicitor","text":"That this House notes that from time to time the advice given by an expert appointed by one party to a court case is used to permit the exclusion of capacity of a further party to that case and then the Official Solicitor is brought in to act on behalf of the latter party; believes that this is an unacceptable conflict of interest; and calls, notwithstanding the duty of experts to the court, for the Government to introduce legislation to prevent this from occurring.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"}]