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Senior Courts of England and Wales
10 June 2020
Lead MP
Chris Philp
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Northern IrelandForeign AffairsCulture, Media & Sport
Other Contributors: 2
At a Glance
Chris Philp raised concerns about senior courts of england and wales in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The statutory instrument before the House today is intended to enable the inclusion of family proceedings within a pilot project testing the live-streaming of Court of Appeal hearings. This advances the shared commitment between the Government and the judiciary to increase public engagement and understanding of the court system. It lifts the prohibition on broadcasting and recording hearings in the Court of Appeal for the first time, thereby furthering our objective of opening up the visibility of justice. However, judicial discretion will remain paramount, ensuring confidentiality and anonymity are maintained.
Alex Cunningham
Lab
Stocksbridge Penistone
This is a positive move to increase transparency in family court cases, allowing the public to see proceedings in one of the most sensitive areas. It aims to help people who are often bamboozled by complex legal matters due to the absence of legal aid. However, safeguarding processes must be robust, and steps should address the digital divide to ensure everyone can access justice.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Enquires if discussions could take place with Northern Ireland authorities to implement a similar pilot scheme in Northern Ireland as used for England and Wales, expressing interest in the system's application there.
Government Response
Reaffirms that judicial discretion is key, safeguarding confidentiality and anonymity. Welcomes discussions with Northern Ireland authorities to share lessons from England and Wales.
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Assessment & feedback
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.