Live links in other criminal hearings

Part of Coronavirus Bill – in the House of Commons at 10:00 pm on 23 March 2020.

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Amendment made: 82, in page 294, line 11, at end insert—

“Part 1A

Expansion of powers under the Extradition Act 2003

7A The Extradition Act 2003 has effect as if amended in accordance with this Part of this Schedule.

7B (1) Section 206A has effect as if amended as follows.

(2) In the heading, “certain” were omitted.

(3) In subsection (1)—

(a) in paragraph (a), the words from “other” to “56,” were omitted, and

(b) in paragraph (b), the words from “, other” to the end were omitted.

(4) In subsection (2)—

(a) for the words from “the person” to “during the hearing,” there were substituted “it is in the interest of justice to do so,” and

(b) “at any time before the hearing” were omitted.

(5) For subsection (3) there were substituted—

“(3) A live link direction is a direction requiring a person to take part in the hearing through a live link.

(3A) The power to give a live link direction under this section includes the power to give a direction to all or any of the following persons to take part in the hearing through a live link—

the appropriate judge,

(b) the person affected by the extradition claim,

(c) any other party,

(d) the prosecutor or any other legal representative acting in the hearing,

(e) any witnesses in the hearing, and

(f) any interpreter or person appointed by the court to assist in the hearing.”

(6) Subsection (5) were omitted.

(7) For subsection (6) there were substituted—

“(6) A person who takes part in the hearing through a live link is to be treated as present in court for the purposes of the hearing.”

7C (1) Section 206C has effect as if amended as follows.

(2) Subsection (5) were omitted.

(3) In subsection (6)—

(a) in the opening words, for “, while absent from the place where the hearing is being held,” there were substituted “(P)”,

(b) in paragraph (a), for the words from “the appropriate” to the end there were substituted “all other persons taking part in the hearing who are not in the same location as P, and”, and

(c) in paragraph (b), for the words from “the judge” to the end there were substituted “all the other persons taking part in the hearing who are not in the same location as P, ””—(Penny Mordaunt.)

This amendment makes temporary modifications to the Extradition Act 2003 so that the power to direct that persons affected by the extradition claim may take part in certain hearings under that Act by live link is extended so that the power can be exercised in relation to any person who is taking part in any hearing under Part 1 or 2 of that Act.

Schedule 23, as amended, agreed to.

Schedule 24 agreed to.