Asked by: Lord Carlile of Berriew (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what changes, if any, they plan to make to disclosure procedures operated by the police and the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure that (1) trials are not disrupted by late or inadequate disclosure, and (2) incursions into the privacy of complainants and witnesses are material and proportionate.
Answered by Lord Keen of Elie - Shadow Minister (Justice)
There has been unprecedented joint commitment and focus from the police and the CPS to finding solutions to the problem of getting disclosure right.
Proper disclosure of unused material is vital if there is to be a fair trial. That is why in 2018 the Attorney General published his review, looking at the efficiency and effectiveness of the current disclosure system, including how sensitive data is handled. We are now working hard to implement the recommendations made in the review, and extensive action has already been undertaken to bring about necessary changes. The government remains committed to ensuring that errors in the disclosure process are driven down to their absolute minimum.