Select committee: Constitution Committee
Recommendation 157
22nd Report - COVID-19 and the Courts
Published 30 Mar 2021
Constitution Committee Constitutional implications of COVID‑19 All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Recommendation (the committee's words)
We recommend that any further extension to custody time limits be scrutinised and debated by Parliament before taking legal effect. The extension of custody time limits is a significant policy decision with serious implications for the right to liberty and the rule of law. Adequate Parliamentary scrutiny and debate is essential for a change of such fundamental constitutional importance to take effect. Civil courts and tribunals
From: Constitution Committee, 22nd Report - COVID-19 and the Courts, 30 March 2021
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 31 May 2021 (deadline 30 May 2021).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government's response to the Committee's report sets out its recovery action on courts and tribunals, with many points addressed through existing programmes, some by stated commitments, and others by saying matters sit with the judiciary or other bodies.
- On the HMCTS reform programme, it states HMCTS is "committed to delivering this programme on time by the end of 2023".
- On sitting days, it says it will run Crown Courts to "the fullest possible extent, with no limit on sitting days", with additional sitting days in other jurisdictions compared with 2020/21.
- On legal aid, it says it "remains committed" and cites an independent criminal legal aid review that "will report this year", with a government commitment to respond within the year.
- On remote jury trials, it says current legislation means it cannot use this measure, and the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill is an "enabling provision" requiring "careful consideration" of factors including fair access to justice and cost.