Clause 157 - Rules of court

Proceeds of Crime Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 4:45 pm on 6 December 2001.

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Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.

Photo of Dominic Grieve Dominic Grieve Shadow Minister (Home Affairs)

In a spirit of slight frivolity, may I say how good it is to see the rules of court in Scotland using Latin terminology. Since the Woolf reforms south of the border, they have been completely abolished here. To see a nice archaism is extremely pleasant. I can only say that because the hon. Member for Glasgow, Pollok is not in Committee. If I had mentioned it in his presence, he would have tried to eradicate it.

Photo of David Wilshire David Wilshire Conservative, Spelthorne

I hear what my hon. Friend says, but I am one of those people who, when they do not understand something, are willing to admit it. I wonder whether other members of the Committee would do the same. It may be impressive to have a Latin word in the clause. If I think back far enough to my O-level Latin days, I may just manage to work out what the word means. I should find it helpful if a lawyer could explain the meaning of an ''Act of Sederunt'', because I seriously want to know what I am being asked to agree to.

Photo of Boris Johnson Boris Johnson Conservative, Henley

I am not a lawyer, but sederunt means ''they sat down''.

Photo of Dominic Grieve Dominic Grieve Shadow Minister (Home Affairs)

I shall wait to be enlightened by the Minister, but I think that the word refers to the rules of court as promulgated in Scotland, which enable the Lord Justice Clerk, or whoever, to make a pronouncement in banco sitting with his fellow judges about what procedural rules will be introduced to implement that part of the Bill.

Photo of Mr George Foulkes Mr George Foulkes Minister of State, Scottish Office, Minister of State (Scotland Office)

An Act of Sederunt is the technical term for civil court rules in Scotland. I hope that helps the Committee. I failed my O-level Latin, so I needed some help with the meaning.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 157 ordered to stand part of the Bill.