Asked by: Oliver Dowden (Conservative - Hertsmere)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will take steps to increase levels of transparency in litigation funding.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Government recognises the critical role third-party litigation funding plays in ensuring access to justice.
Following the PACCAR judgment, concerns have been raised about the need for greater regulation of the litigation funding market, including the potential need for greater transparency in relation to Litigation Funding Agreements.
The Civil Justice Council is considering these matters as part of its review of litigation funding, which will conclude in summer 2025. The Government will take a decision on further steps regarding litigation funding once the report and its recommendations have been received.
Asked by: Oliver Dowden (Conservative - Hertsmere)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the Government has plans to train judges to specialise in the protected characteristic of religion or belief.
Answered by Oliver Heald
The Ministry of Justice does not oversee judicial training; the Lord Chief Justice does through the Judicial College.
The issue of religion arises as a factor in a range of cases heard across many jurisdictions. Judges make reasoned and independent decisions based on the evidence presented. If religion is an issue in deciding a case, the parties have the opportunity to present evidence about that to the judge.