Clause 81 - ''Bad character''
Criminal Justice Bill
10:30 am
Mr Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield, Conservative)
Yes, but that does not mean that it is right. It is noteworthy that the Law Commission actually said:
''we believe that the wisest course is to maintain a general rule against the disclosure of the defendant's criminal record.''
That is precisely what the clause and subsequent clauses will turn on its head. The presumption of admissibility has been raised, then exceptions have been provided, which is an important philosophical difference.