Clause 67 - Procedure and evidence
Criminal Justice Bill
3:30 pm
Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey, Liberal Democrat)
I beg to move amendment No. 341, in
clause 67, page 41, line 11, after 'present,' insert
'and public funding must be available to allow for the defendant to be represented'.
The amendment makes a straightforward point. When the important application to reopen a case is made to the Court of Appeal—that would be new territory at the beginning, and would arise only in rare circumstances after that—the presumption would be that the person who had been acquitted was entitled be present, to be represented and to be publicly funded, if necessary. A later amendment will clarify that entitlement.
I hope that the Minister advises the Committee to accept the amendment.