"My Lords, I was not intending to intervene at all in this group, but could I just try to inject an element of reality into Amendment 86A, which the noble Lord, Lord Jackson, proposes? It requires the courts service to record and retain, in respect of all offenders convicted and …..." Lord Burnett of Maldon - View Speech
"My Lords, perhaps rather surprisingly, I find myself in agreement with the noble Lord, Lord Jackson, in seeking to remove Clause 18—but for polar opposite reasons. The noble Lord seeks to abolish the Sentencing Council; I wish to protect it from interference.
"I record, if I may, my thanks to the noble Lord, Lord Lemos, and to the Minister, in the broader conduct of this Bill, for offering to continue discussions. We have had useful discussions so far, even if they have not led very far. In those circumstances, I am content …..." Lord Burnett of Maldon - View Speech
"My Lords, I start by declaring some interests. I was on the independent panel chaired by David Gauke which produced a preliminary short review in February, History and Trends in Sentencing. I shall return to that, if I may. It then produced a final report in May, many of …..." Lord Burnett of Maldon - View Speech
"My Lords, I start by thanking the committee en bloc for the important work that it has done in looking at this subject which, as has already been observed, is something of a Cinderella in the justice system. I also thank the noble Baroness, Lady Morris, for her overview and …..." Lord Burnett of Maldon - View Speech
"My Lords, I first associate myself with the words of those who spoke in tribute to Lord Justice William Davis. News of his death on Saturday morning reached his fellow judges, and former judges, like a thunderclap. He really was tremendously admired and liked. He would take on any additional …..." Lord Burnett of Maldon - View Speech
"My Lords, I am extremely grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, for that suggestion. I hope not to detain the Committee for long. I declare some interests at the outset. When I was Lord Chief Justice, I was president of the Sentencing Council and thus responsible for appointing all …..." Lord Burnett of Maldon - View Speech
"My Lords, I shall make one or two observations on this group. I echo what the noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, said, but, before anyone considers this additional process, it is important to have in mind what already exists. All guidelines that the Sentencing Council eventually issues are subject to extensive …..." Lord Burnett of Maldon - View Speech
"My Lords, I join others in congratulating the noble Baroness, Lady Longfield, on her instructive maiden speech.
The outstanding case load in the Crown Court has reached a level that is irretrievable without a radical change to the way in which many Crown Court trials are conducted. I will repeat …..." Lord Burnett of Maldon - View Speech