Victims Court Experience 2026-03-17
2026-03-17
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from a broader concern about the treatment of victims within the court system and their overall experience.
What steps he is taking to help improve the experience of victims in court. The Courts and Tribunals Bill aims to deliver faster, fairer justice for all victims; however, the MP seeks specific actions taken by the government to support this aim beyond the bill itself.
The Courts and Tribunals Bill puts victims at its heart, aiming to deliver faster, fairer justice. Additionally, funding victim support to over half a billion pounds is provided, a new victims code consultation is ongoing, and special measures are being enhanced.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent was disturbed by the use of character references during the sentencing of a man convicted of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. Queensland, Australia, recently introduced reforms restricting such references.
My constituent was appalled that character references were read out during the sentencing of a man found guilty of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. The Minister will be aware that Queensland, Australia, introduced reforms last year to restrict the use of character references in the sentencing of sex offenders. Does the Minister agree that all victims should be at the heart of sentencing, and will she review the admissibility and weight of character references in sexual offence cases?
Judges decide on admissibility and weight of evidence, but we are interested in how evidence is used. The Courts and Tribunals Bill will change defendants' bad character evidence rules, allowing judges to use previous domestic abuse convictions as propensity indicators for further offences; the minister is open to working with the MP on beneficial changes.
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Assessment & feedback
The question asked specifically about reviewing the admissibility and weight of character references in sexual offence cases, but no concrete steps were promised beyond expressing openness to work together on potential changes.
Response accuracy