[{"topic":"Courts","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":"Courts","id":"43961","proposer":"11420","edm":"2857","session":"2010-12","title":"Expert Witnesses In Family Court Proceedings","text":"That this House notes the report by Professor Jane Ireland, commissioned by the Family Justice Council, in which she studied 100 expert reports from family court proceedings; further notes that 20 per cent. were written by people not qualified, a further 20 per cent. by people writing outside their knowledge and qualifications, 65 per cent. were `poor' or `very poor' and 90 per cent. were written by people who were not in current practice; recognises that this raises a massive question as to whether or not the judgments of the courts in the majority of care proceedings are reliable; and calls for a substantial further opening of the courts to enable the quality of evidence given to be subject to adequate real time scrutiny.","date":"2012-03-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"43959","proposer":"10197","edm":"2855","session":"2010-12","title":"Syria And The International Criminal Court","text":"That this House, believing that the International Criminal Courts prosecutor should begin investigations into the Syrian regime's crimes against humanity, requests the Government to work through the UN Security Council to achieve this end as quickly as is possible.","date":"2012-03-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"43567","proposer":"24754","edm":"2472","session":"2010-12","title":"Amendment Of The Rome Statute Of The International Criminal Court","text":"That this House notes the amendment to the 1998 Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court (ICC) adopted on 12 June 2010 in Kampala defining the Crime of Aggression; further notes that theUK was party to the adoption of this amendment by the unanimous consensus of all states parties there present; welcomes the opportunity that this internationally agreed definition now provides for Parliament to amend the International Criminal Court Act 2001 in such a way as to incorporate that crime and its agreed definition into domestic criminal law thus making it clear that the UK now recognises the importance of upholding this supreme rule of international criminal law; further notes that this measure can be carried out independently of the future activation of the exercise of jurisdiction by the ICC itself with respect to this crime and the resolution of any difference of view as regards the role of the UN Security Council in initiating such proceedings before that court; and therefore urges the Government to bring an appropriate amendment to the ICC Act 2001 before this House with all deliberate speed in order that the Crime of Aggression is made justiciable before the UK criminal courts.","date":"2011-11-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"43366","proposer":"11420","edm":"2281","session":"2010-12","title":"Expert Evidence Parliamentary Inquiry","text":"That this House notes the comments of Sir Nicholas Wall, President of the Family Division, that `Nothing annoys me as much as the nostrum peddled by opponents of the system that experts are hired guns who will provide the opinion required by the payer of their bill - usually the local authority'; recognises that many hon. Members have concerns about the reliability of the expert evidence provided to the family courts; accepts that at times he who pays the piper calls the tune; and calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the reliability of expert evidence in secret court hearings.","date":"2011-10-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"43221","proposer":"24966","edm":"2145","session":"2010-12","title":"Role Of Lancashire Police In The Empress Court Dispute","text":"That this House notes the dispute between residents and Empress Court (Morecambe) Limited; further notes that CPSO Laura Jolly and PC Ian Nickson intervened after residents became upset by the actions of the directors and management; believes that whilst the officers concerned were unable to resolve the dispute by restorative justice they did nonetheless help significantly in alleviating the stress felt by residents; further believes that it is right to thank these officers as this has been requested by residents; and calls on Empress Court (Morecambe) Limited to swiftly resolve the underlying dispute in a way that is fair to all residents.","date":"2011-09-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"43231","proposer":"10368","edm":"2155","session":"2010-12","title":"Magistrates' Courts (S.i., 2011, No. 1721)","text":"That the Justices of the Peace Act 1949 (Compensation) (Revocation) Regulations 2011 (S.I., 2011, No. 1721), dated 13 July 2011, a copy of which was laid before this House on 14 July, be annulled.","date":"2011-09-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"43195","proposer":"11589","edm":"2121","session":"2010-12","title":"Equality And Human Rights Commission Application To The European Court Of Human Rights","text":"That this House welcomes the application by the Equality and Human Rights Commission to intervene in four cases at the European Court of Human Rights which involve alleged religious discrimination in the workplace; notes the Commission's concern that UK and European Courts have created a body of confusing and contradictory case law making it difficult for employers to know what they should be doing to protect people from religion- or belief-based discrimination; acknowledges its hope that it is possible to accommodate expression of religion alongside the rights of people who are not religious and the needs of business; further notes that the Commission thinks that there is a need for clearer legal principles to help the courts consider what is and what is not justifiable in such cases, which might help to resolve differences without resorting to legal action and that it hopes to propose ideas on reasonable accommodations in that context; recognises that the Commission is acting under its statutory duty in section 30 of the Equality Act 2010 and that it would act as an independent party providing expert advice to the court; and stresses that any clarification or development of employment case law must not threaten any rights to goods or services which all citizens should enjoy from all providers - commercial, voluntary or public sector - free from any discrimination on any grounds including the religious or conscientious belief of any employee.","date":"2011-08-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"42780","proposer":"10288","edm":"1724","session":"2010-12","title":"Employment Law And Tribunal Rights","text":"That this House supports the aspiration, contained in the consultation paper, Resolving Workplace Disputes, to deal with individual employment disputes efficiently; wishes to reaffirm its belief that access to employment tribunals, which enable individuals to enforce essential employment rights, isa fundamental pillar of workplace justice; fears that the proposals, as written, will significantly worsen the ability of people to enforce their rights and will encourage poor employment practice; condemns the proposal to increase the qualifying period for unfair dismissal to two years as this would further restrictrights not to be unfairly dismissed from a significant proportion of the working population; further condemns the proposal to remove the rights of employees to have their claims for unfair dismissal heard by tribunal members with extensive practical workplace experience, leaving them to be decided by judges alone; rejects the proposals to introduce a fee to file a claim in the Employment Tribunal which would inevitably deter lower paid and vulnerable members of the community from seeking to secure their rights; and therefore calls on the Government to withdraw its proposed reforms.","date":"2011-04-05","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"42625","proposer":"10754","edm":"1578","session":"2010-12","title":"Supreme Court Ruling On Dianne Willmore","text":"That this House notes the Supreme Court judgement of 9 March 2011 that upheld that Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council negligently exposed Dianne Willmore to asbestos when she was a pupil at her secondary school; further notes with sadness that she died of mesothelioma aged 49 the day after the Appeal Court hearing; acknowledges the increasing numbers of school teachers who are dying of the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma and that more than 140 died in the 10 year period from 1999 to 2008; believes that an assessment of the risk to children from asbestos exposure should be undertaken; and calls on the Government to commission such a study.","date":"2011-03-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"42548","proposer":"10428","edm":"1509","session":"2010-12","title":"Community Service: Consultation With Courts And The Probation Service","text":"That this House supports the concept of community service as an important tool in the administration of justice and a means of giving offenders the opportunity to make reparation for their offences by working unpaid for the community; is therefore very concerned by the Government's decision, taken without consultation, to place the future management and administration of such activities out for open competition between the Probation Service and the private sector; understands that the Ministry of Justice has refused to allow local probation trusts a commissioning role, and has thus far not carried out any equality impact assessments on such proposals for competiton, nor confirmed whether the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice on staff transfers in the public sector and the associated fair deal on staff provisions applies to the competition process; and calls on the Government to quarantine immediatelysuch arrangements and, before embarking on any further initiative in this direction, to consult openlywith the Courts Service and Probation Service on the best ways forward.","date":"2011-03-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"42530","proposer":"10383","edm":"1491","session":"2010-12","title":"Health And Safety In The Probation Service And Cafcass","text":"That this House believes that the health and safety of probation and family courts staff is a priority; believes that all reported incidents of threats to staff in the Probation Service and the Children and Family Courts Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) must be investigated thoroughly and any recommendations from such investigations should be acted upon as soon as possible; and furtherbelieves that adequate funding should be available to ensure the health and safety obligations of Cafcass and Probation Service management are adhered to.","date":"2011-02-28","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"42257","proposer":"24784","edm":"1195A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Detention Of Palestinian Children In Israel","text":"leave out from `House' to end and add `notes that context is crucial when assessing the Middle East; further notes that 217 Palestinian children were arrested between 2000 and 2009 for involvement in suicide bombings and that the international Red Cross has never censured Israel for any torturous behaviour in its prisons; and condemns the use of children, by any terrorist organisation, in shootings, stone throwing and suicide attacks.'","date":"2011-01-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"42247","proposer":"10368","edm":"1234","session":"2010-12","title":"Court Closures (No. 2)","text":"That this House is shocked at the decision to close 93 magistrates' courts and 49 county courts; notes that this total of 142 courts amounts to nearly a third of all courts; believes that taking this decision will affect 746 court staff; further believes that the Government consultation on closures was flawed, as it used incorrect data on court utilisation rates, court travel times and back maintenance costs; further notes that the Government has disregarded the comments by Lord Justice Goldring, on behalf of the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, who maintained that a number of courts now threatened with closure should remain open; further believes that the minister has ignored the arguments from many hon. Members, magistrates, judges and the Public and Commercial Services union against court closures; and calls on the Government to reconsider the decision on the proposed closures which will have a devastating impact on the provision of local justice.","date":"2010-12-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"42218","proposer":"10645","edm":"1205","session":"2010-12","title":"Bringing Murderers To Justice","text":"That this Housewelcomes the conviction of Mark Weston, found guilty of the murder of Vikki Thompson in 1995; notes the second trial came about only as a result of the change in 2005 in thelaw on double jeopardy since Weston was previously tried in 1996 for the murder and found not guilty; further notes the satisfaction of Ms Thompson's family, who describe her as the perfect wife and mother; and believes that nomatter how long it may take those who take human life must be brought to justice.","date":"2010-12-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"42207","proposer":"24963","edm":"1195","session":"2010-12","title":"Detention Of Palestinian Children In Israel","text":"That this House notes with grave concern that every year Israel prosecutes an average of 700 Palestinian children from the occupied West Bank in military courts; further notes that children as young as 12 are brought to these courts in shackles and cuffs and denied a fair trial, that most of these children are charged on the basis of confessions under interrogation, that 32 per cent. of all confessions are written in Hebrew,a language they do not understand; further notes that frequently they only meet their lawyers for the first time in court, that there are widespread and persistent allegations of torture and abuse against Palestinian children; further notes that Israel, whilst considering children to be anyone under the age of 18 in its own system, treats Palestinians as adults from the age of 16 in contravention of the International Convention of the Rights of the Child; furthernotes that whilst Israeli settler children in the same area have to see a judge within 24 hours, Palestinians may not see a judge for eight days; believes that this represents a dual legal system based on race and a grave and serious breach of international law; further notes that according to the Israeli human rights group, B'tselem, in Jerusalem, Palestinian children under 12 have been arrested including a five-year old; and calls on the Government to demand immediate action from the Israeli government to bring its behaviour in line with international law.","date":"2010-12-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"42024","proposer":"24956","edm":"1035","session":"2010-12","title":"Withdrawal Of Legal Aid For Epilepsy Drug Court Case","text":"That this House notes with regret the decision of the Legal Services Commission to withdraw funding from the claimants in the Fetal Anti-Convulsant Litigation; further notes that the Legal Services Commission first tried to withdraw funding in 2008 but that the decision was reversed when faced with a judicial review; further notes that the withdrawal of this funding is likely to lead to the abandonment of the current action with the result that the claims will then fall outside the 10 year limitation rule; regrets that key evidence around this issue will then remain confidential; strongly regrets the lost opportunity for the parents and children to have the facts and responsibilities in the case decided in open court; and calls on the Government to urge the Legal Services Commission to reconsider its decision to withdraw legal aid funding.","date":"2010-11-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"41950","proposer":"11534","edm":"961","session":"2010-12","title":"Court Of Appeal Ruling On Mesothelioma Liability (No. 2)","text":"That this House is concerned that the implications of the decision by the Court of Appeal on 8 October 2010 will be that many victims of asbestos-related disease will die without the certainty that their families will be entitled to compensation; agrees thatit is the exposure to asbestos that can lead to the development of fatal diseases such as mesothelioma and that the trigger must therefore be the point of exposure and not, as challenged by the insurance industry, the point the disease develops, which can be many decades later; further agrees with the High Court ruling in 2008 that the insurers who should pay compensation are those who provided cover to the employer at the time of the asbestos exposure; notes this is the latest of many attacks by the insurance industry on compensation for working people who were negligently exposed to deadly asbestos; and calls on the Association of British Insurers to take action against any of its memberswho are challenging the established trigger that is the point of exposure and support the establishment of an Employers' Liability Insurance Bureau.","date":"2010-11-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"41911","proposer":"11093","edm":"924","session":"2010-12","title":"Worksop And Retford Magistrates' Courts (No. 2)","text":"That this House notes the Lord Chief Justice's response to the Ministry of Justice's plans to cut magistrates' courts; further notes that closing Retford Magistrates' Court leaves him with `concerns with regard to reasonable access to justice'; notes too that closing Worksop Magistrates' Court would `not produce meaningful savings but would mean significant travel problems'; does not recognise the right hon. Lord Judge's estimates of travel times to Mansfield Court as reasonable to the many residents in the villages around Retford and Worksop; also notes that the Lord Judge's estimates of travel times from Retford or Worksop to the alternative court in Mansfield are based on services that are subject to cuts; urges the Government to assess the collective impact of cuts in other departments on justice in Bassetlaw; and calls on the Minister to reject these cheap but destructive cuts.","date":"2010-10-28","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"41681","proposer":"11093","edm":"721","session":"2010-12","title":"Worksop And Retford Magistrates' Courts","text":"That this House welcomes the huge public and professional opposition to the ill-thought-out proposed closures of Worksop and Retford magistrates' courts; notes that if they go ahead the closures will leave people unable to attend court and return home on the same day from many villages where they are reliant on public transport; and further notes with great concern the predicted loss of most local magistrates thereby undermining an 800 year old English legal tradition.","date":"2010-09-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"41352","proposer":"10368","edm":"411","session":"2010-12","title":"Court Closures","text":"That this House is alarmed by the proposals to close 103 magistrates' courts and 54 county courts in England and Wales put forward by the Ministry of Justice; notes that this respresents a 30 per cent. cut in courts across the country; acknowledges that courts provide a vital public service delivering local justice; deplores the fact that an announcement of such importance to hon. Members was presented in a written statement; is concerned that the scale of these closures will have a significant and lasting impact on the prosecution of justice in local communities; does not believe that the timetable for public consultation is sufficient for a proposal of such magnitude; and calls on the Minister responsible to extend the consultation period to allow hon. Members and other interested parties to submit responses, and to agree to meet urgently with representatives from the recognised trade unions to discuss how to mitigate the impact of these proposals on their members.","date":"2010-07-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"41301","proposer":"10292","edm":"361","session":"2010-12","title":"Knowsley Magistrates' Court","text":"That this House expresses strong concern at the Ministry of Justice's proposal to merge Knowsley Magistrates' Court with Liverpool Magistrates' Court; notes that Knowsley is a district local government entity; further notes that having to travel to Liverpool will cause unacceptable burdens on victims, witnesses and the police; expresses grave doubts that the Liverpool courts have sufficient capacity to handle the increased volume of cases that will inevitably lead to higher demands for capital expenditure; and supports Knowsley Council in its campaign to overturn this proposal.","date":"2010-06-30","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"41246","proposer":"10761","edm":"312","session":"2010-12","title":"Magistrates' Courts","text":"That this House notes that Magistrates' Courts are a vital local front line service, providing support for witnesses and victims of crime and prosecuting justice on a wide range of issues; is deeply concerned at the threat of closure to Magistrates' Courts in Northwich, Southport, Penrith, Runcorn, Whitehaven, Rawtenstall, Chorley, Salford, Bury, Guisborough, Bishop Auckland, Tynedale, Alnwick, Blaydon, Gosforth, Houghton Le Spring, Goole, Skipton, Selby, Batley and Dewsbury, Keighley sitting at the Bingley Court House, Rochdale, Pontefract, Barry, Aberdare, Llwynypia, Ammanford, Cardigan, Llandovery, Denbigh, Pwllheli, Flint, Chepstow, Abertillery, Abergavenny, Llangefni, Halesowen, Sutton Coldfield, West Bromwich, Rugby, Stoke, Tamworth, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Ilkeston, Newark, Worksop, Retford, Coalville, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Spalding, Towcester, Daventry, Rutland, Kettering, Frome, Bridgwater, Liskeard, Newton Abbot, Camborne, Totnes, Honiton, Penzance, Blandford Forum, Wimborne, Coleford, Cirencester, Stroud, Andover, Alton, Lyndhurst, Grays, Harlow, Epping, Ely, Wisbech, Thetford, Cromer, Swaffham, Sudbury, Ashford, Sittingbourne, Epsom, Woking, Mid-Sussex, Lewes, Bicester, Hemel Hempstead, Witney, Amersham, Newbury, Didcot, Acton, Haringey (Highgate), Harrow, Sutton, Barking, Brentford, Kingston, Woolwich, Balham Youth Court, Waltham Forest and Tower Bridge; believes that if these closures go ahead fewer victims of crime will get justice; and calls on the Government to think again.","date":"2010-06-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"39176","proposer":"11812","edm":"1951","session":"2008-09","title":"Supreme Court Of England And Wales (S.i., 2009, No. 1498)","text":"That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Civil Proceedings Fees (Amendment) Order 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 1498), dated 10 June 2009, a copy of which was laid before this House on 18 June, be annulled.","date":"2009-07-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"39178","proposer":"11812","edm":"1953","session":"2008-09","title":"MAGISTRATES' COURTS (S.I., 2009, No. 1496)","text":"That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Magistrates' Courts Fees (Amendment) Order 2009, (S.I., 2009, No. 1496), dated 10 June 2009, a copy of which was laid before this House on 18 June, be annulled.","date":"2009-07-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"39180","proposer":"11812","edm":"1950","session":"2008-09","title":"Family Proceedings (S.i., 2009, No. 1499)","text":"That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Family Proceedings Fees (Amendment) Order 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 1499), dated 10 June 2009, a copy of which was laid before this House on 18 June, be annulled.","date":"2009-07-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"37704","proposer":"10197","edm":"654","session":"2008-09","title":"Appointment Of Judges To The Supreme Court","text":"That this House believes that there should not be any age discrimination when appointing judges to the supreme courts.","date":"2009-02-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"37606","proposer":"11420","edm":"572","session":"2008-09","title":"Second Opinions In Family Division","text":"That this House believes that parties in family division proceedings should be allowed to obtain a second opinion in respect of expert reports.","date":"2009-01-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Courts","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":"Courts","id":"36783","proposer":"11589","edm":"2394","session":"2007-08","title":"Professor Christopher Greenwood And The International Court Of Justice","text":"That this House regrets that the Government is promoting Professor Christopher Greenwood CMG QC to be elected as Judge of the International Court of Justice by the UN General Assembly and the Security Council on 5th November 2008; recalls his contribution to the Government's false assertion that military attack on Iraq in 2003 would be legal; notes that he provided the Government and Parliament with the flawed and untenable argument that war with Iraq was justified on the grounds that the UN Security Council had authorised the use of force when, in fact, the Security Council rejected the `second resolution' proposed by the US and UK; further notes that he is widely identified with both the questionable doctrine of `pre-emptive self-defence' and with the contrivance of `continuing authority' relying on previous UN resolutions which did not authorise use of force; believes that it would be particularly inappropriate for the UN General Assembly and Security Council to elect to the International Court of Justice a candidate with such a questionable record on fundamentals of international law and the responsibilities and reputation of the United Nations; and calls on the Government to cease its diplomatic and other efforts in support of Professor Greenwood's nomination.","date":"2008-10-30","status":"c"},{"topic":"Courts","id":"36764","proposer":"11473","edm":"2377","session":"2007-08","title":"Custodial Sentences And Short-Term Care Of Dependents","text":"That this House notes that there is no process in place to safeguard the short-term care of dependent children and vulnerable adults in the immediate aftermath of the handing out of custodial sentences to single parents and carers; further notes that this adds to the considerable disruption and distress already experienced by dependents as a consequence of such custodial sentences; considers that it is not the purpose of the criminal justice system to penalise dependents; and therefore calls on the Government to ensure that, in court cases involving single parents and carers, an appointed individual is responsible for taking the necessary details and ensuring that contact can be made and arrangements for care established as soon as possible.","date":"2008-10-29","status":"c"},{"topic":"Courts","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":"Courts","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":"Courts","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":"Courts","id":"34402","proposer":"13735","edm":"291","session":"2007-08","title":"Cafcass And Private Family Law","text":"That this House is concerned that under the existing operating conditions of the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service there is little or no opportunity for defendants to question evidence presented at court, the exercise of the right of appeal is made extremely difficult and the process under private family law is not open and transparent; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to do all that it can to ensure justice is done and individuals are treated as innocent until proven guilty within this closed court system as they are in all other United Kingdom courts.","date":"2007-11-15","status":"c"},{"topic":"Courts","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":"Courts","id":"34216","proposer":"11420","edm":"126","session":"2007-08","title":"Solicitors And The Family Court Processes","text":"That this House notes the comments of a senior social worker that meetings have been held during which solicitors acting for parents have discussed how to undermine the cases of their clients; further notes that there are many odd cases in which solicitors fail to oppose care proceedings or accept that the section 31 threshold has been met notwithstanding the opposition of their clients; recognises that reporting and obtaining the investigation of such behaviour outwith parliamentary proceedings remains a contempt of court for hon. Members; and asks the Solicitors Regulatory Authority to review the implementation of the new solicitors' code of conduct and how this relates to conflicts of interest in the Family Court.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Courts","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":"Courts","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"}]