Justice Committee to question Minister on Criminal Court reforms

Tuesday, 13 January at 2:30pm

Venue: The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House

The Justice Committee will question Minister for Courts and Legal Services Sarah Sackman KC during an evidence session on Criminal Court reforms.

MPs on the cross-party committee, chaired by Labour MP Andy Slaughter, will also hear from senior representatives of the Bar Council, the Magistrates' Association, the Criminal Bar Association and Institute for Government.

The session will scrutinise the Government's proposals to reform the criminal courts of England and Wales. Discussion is likely to focus on capacity issues in the criminal courts, proposed changes to the right to trial by jury and the role of the magistrates' court. 

Panel two will explore the Leveson Review and the Government's planned reforms, including the evidence base, practicalities and constitutional implications.

Witnesses for Tuesday, 13 January

Panel 1: 2.30pm 

• Kirsty Brimelow KC, Chair, The Bar Council 
• David Ford JP, National Chair, The Magistrates' Association 
• Riel Karmy-Jones KC, Chair, Criminal Bar Association 
• Cassia Rowland, Senior Researcher, Institute for Government 

Panel 2: 3.30pm 

• Sarah Sackman KC MP, Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Ministry of Justice
• Amy Randall, Director for Victims, Vulnerabilities and Criminal Law Policy, Ministry of Justice