Call for Evidence on Courts and Tribunals Bill Issued

The House of Commons Public Bill Committee has issued a call for evidence regarding the Courts and Tribunals Bill, inviting stakeholders to submit their views in writing. The committee is scheduled to commence detailed scrutiny of the bill on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, with a reporting deadline of Tuesday, 28 April 2026.

Objectives of the Bill

The Courts and Tribunals Bill proposes several reforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency and fairness of the UK's judicial system. Key provisions include:

• Jury Trials and Criminal Court Reform:
  • Removing the right of adult defendants charged with either-way offenses to elect trial by jury, allowing courts to decide the appropriate venue for trial.
  • Introducing judge-only trials in the Crown Court for certain offenses with likely custodial sentences of up to three years and for complex cases such as fraud and bribery.
  • Expanding the government's power to increase the maximum custodial sentence a magistrates' court can impose for a single either-way offense.
  • Removing the automatic right for defendants to appeal convictions or sentences from the magistrates' court to the Crown Court, requiring permission to appeal.
• Evidence and Special Measures:
  • Introducing new frameworks governing the admissibility of evidence related to sexual behavior and bad character.
  • Implementing restrictions on using evidence that a complainant in a sexual offenses trial has previously made a claim for compensation.
  • Amending laws on defendant bad character evidence, particularly concerning previous convictions for domestic abuse offenses.
• Presumption of Parental Involvement:
  • Removing the presumption that the involvement of both parents in a child's life will further the child's welfare, as outlined in the Children Act 1989.
• Tribunals and Judicial Administration:
  • Unifying the leadership of courts and tribunals in England and Wales by bringing the office of the Senior President of Tribunals under the leadership of the Lady Chief Justice.
  • Enabling secondary legislation to prescribe the types of expenses magistrates can claim.
  • Reserving the title "Central Criminal Court" exclusively for the Old Bailey.

Submission of Evidence

Stakeholders with relevant expertise or a special interest in the bill are encouraged to submit their views in writing to the committee. Submissions should be made as soon as possible, as the committee may conclude its considerations earlier than the expected deadline. Detailed guidance on submitting written evidence is available on the UK Parliament's website.

For more information, refer to the official UK Parliament news release: Courts and Tribunals Bill: call for evidence.