New Clause 2 — Judicial Independence

Part of Courts Bill [Lords] – in the House of Commons at 4:30 pm on 20 October 2003.

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Photo of Michael Martin Michael Martin Chair, Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, Speaker of the House of Commons, Chair, Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission 4:30, 20 October 2003

With this it will be convenient to discuss the following:

New clause 4—General duty—

'The Lord Chancellor and the Department for Constitutional Affairs are under a general duty to preserve and maintain the independence, impartiality and integrity of the judiciary and the lay magistracy.'.

Amendment No. 1, in page 1, line 5 [Clause 1], leave out 'and effective' and insert ', effective and accessible'.

Amendment No. 48, in page 1, line 10, leave out 'and'.

Amendment No. 49, in page 1, line 10, at end insert

', and that there is at least one magistrates' court in every local government area in the United Kingdom (at least one within every borough and district council area in England and Wales)'.

Amendment No. 50, in page 2, line 2, at end insert

'which must include a report on the operation of this legislation and must contain a report by analysts independent of Her Majesty's Government about how the changes brought about by this legislation and other changes since May 1997 have affected the accessibility of courts to court users.'.

Amendment No. 55, in page 44, line 14 [Clause 92], at end insert—

'(3A) The Lord Chancellor may not under this section prescribe fees which seek to recover—

(a) the costs of judicial salaries; or

(b) the notional cost in use of heritage buildings.'.