Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Disclosure of Evidence

Thursday 20 October 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government published a review of disclosure and amended disclosure guidelines in May to improve efficiency and effectiveness for police, prosecutors, and crime victims.
  • Updated principles on accessing third-party material have strengthened privacy protections for victims and mandate clear written reasons for accessing material such as therapy notes.
  • Government is willing to look at how other jurisdictions practice in the sphere of disclosure, noting an increase in the volume of suspects charged quarter on quarter.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ian Levy
Justice & Courts
Context

The question arises from concerns about recent steps to improve the process of disclosing evidence in legal proceedings.

Question

What recent steps have been taken to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of disclosure of evidence?

Answer from Michael Ellis

In May, this Government published the review of disclosure and amended the disclosure guidelines to deliver improvements for police, prosecutors and the victims of crime. The new guidelines feature an annex on data protection that will ease the burden on police, leaving them with more time on the beat and to investigate crime.

Answered
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Q2 Ian Levy
Justice & Courts
Context

There has been a review that highlights multiple failings in multi-agency communication in Northumberland, despite stating lessons have been learned. Constituents report similar issues persisting.

Question

Will my right hon. and learned Friend reassure me and the people of Blyth Valley that steps are being taken to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of disclosure?

Answer from Michael Ellis

Updated principles on accessing third-party material have strengthened privacy protections for victims, and mandate that officers must have clear written reasons in place before accessing any material such as, for example, therapy notes. Communication between the criminal justice agencies continues to improve apace.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific communication failings in Northumberland were not directly addressed.

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Q3 Barry Sheerman Lab
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question arises from the importance of examining international good practices to prevent miscarriages of justice.

Question

Will he look at other countries' good practice on this, especially the United States?

Answer from Michael Ellis

We are always looking and willing to look at how other jurisdictions practise in this sphere. The volume of suspects charged has continued to increase quarter on quarter, with a rise from 526 to 550 in quarter 3, indicating a move in the right direction.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request to examine good practices was not directly addressed.

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