Criminal Justice (Perjury and Related Offences) Bill 2018

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

A new set of rules would modernise and widen the law on lying under oath and related dishonesty. It would make it a crime to give false evidence in court or other formal proceedings, to pressure someone else into doing so, to file false statutory declarations or other official statements, and to fake evidence meant to mislead a case. It also raises the penalties, allows companies and their senior officers to be held responsible, and updates a long list of older laws so they point to the new offences instead of outdated ones. It matters because it strengthens the legal system’s ability to punish false statements that can distort court cases, investigations, elections, business records, and other official processes.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to provide for offences relating to perjury, subornation of perjury, the making of certain false statements, the fabrication of evidence and other related matters; for those purposes to amend certain enactments; and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 1 July 2021