Clause 41 — Application by Defendant for Trial to be conducted without Jury

Part of Criminal Justice Bill – in the House of Commons at 2:31 pm on 18 November 2003.

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Photo of David Blunkett David Blunkett The Secretary of State for the Home Department 2:31, 18 November 2003

I refer my hon. and learned Friend to the text of the amendments under consideration. His point follows on from the point made by Simon Hughes. In the light of previous debates, the Government are altering the Bill to exclude cases—apart from those that involve serious fraud—that are long and complex. We have responded to the view that it is difficult to judge what sort of cases, apart from fraud cases, would warrant such designation and treatment.