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Crime and Courts Bill: Lords committee day five

2 July 2012

Image of UK Parliament portcullis

Lords continues detailed line by line examination in committee stage of the Crime and Courts Bill today (Monday 2 July)

Members will continue examining judiciary roles in Schedule 12 and the provision for court judges to sit in tribunals. A number of government amendments are proposed for Clause 19 and Schedule 13 detailing court judges sitting as tribunal judges and vice versa. A proposed amendment to Clause 20, detailing payments of fines and other sums, proposes that court fines take into account a person's weekly income.

About the Crime and Courts Bill

The bill was introduced in the House of Lords at its first reading stage (formal introduction) on 10 May. It aims to establish the National Crime Agency and suggests abolishing the Serious Organised Crime Agency and the National Policing Improvement Agency.

It also examines the structure, administration, proceedings and powers of courts and tribunals and addresses issues like border control and drugs and driving.

What is committee stage?

Detailed line by line examination of the separate parts (clauses and schedules) of the bill takes place during committee stage. Any member of the Lords can take part.

It usually starts no fewer than two weeks after the second reading and can last for one to eight days or more.

The day before committee stage starts, amendments (changes) are published in a marshalled list – in which all the amendments are placed in order. Amendments on related subjects are grouped together and a list (groupings of amendments) is published on the day.

During committee stage every clause of the bill has to be agreed to and votes on the amendments can take place. All proposed amendments can be discussed and there is no time limit, or guillotine, on discussion of amendments.

Previous Crime and Courts Bill news stories

Further information