Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2022

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

A convicted person seeking to rely on good-character evidence at sentencing for a sexual offence would first need the court’s permission, and that evidence could be questioned by the prosecution and the complainant, or by a family member if the complainant has died. Any such evidence would normally have to be given under oath or in a sworn statement, and the prosecution could answer it with its own evidence. It also gives automatic legal aid to complainants or certain family members for this process, with the aim of protecting victims from being sidelined or re-traumatised in court.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to amend the Criminal Justice Act 1993, to amend the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 14 November 2024