Scrutiny of bills : final progress report : twenty-third report of session 2003-04 : report, together with formal minutes and appendices / Joint Committee on Human Rights.

  • Great Britain. Parliament. Joint Committee on Human Rights.
Date:
2004
Catalogue details

Licence: Open Government Licence

Credit: Scrutiny of bills : final progress report : twenty-third report of session 2003-04 : report, together with formal minutes and appendices / Joint Committee on Human Rights. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    9/76 (page 5)
    Bills drawn to the special attention of both Houses Government Bills 1 Constitutional Reform Bill Current Bill Number House of Lords 91 Previous Reports None Background 1.1 The Constitutional Reform Bill is a Government Bill, introduced to the House of Lords on 24 February 2004. The Lord Falconer of Thoroton, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, has made a statement of compatibility with Convention rights under s. 19(1)(a) of the Human Rights Act 1998. Explanatory Notes to the Bill have been published® and deal with the Government's view as to the compatibility of the Bill with Convention rights at paragraphs 318-326. 1.2 At Second Reading on 8 March 2004 the Bill was committed to a Select Committee by the House of Lords. The Select Committee on the Constitutional Reform Bill reported the Bill with amendments to the House of Lords on 24 June 2004.’ The Bill was reprinted as amended by the Select Committee on the Bill and recommitted to a Committee of the Whole House. The Bill completed its Committee stage on 11 November 2004 and will be carried over to the new Session. The effect of the Bill 1.3 The Bill introduces very significant changes to the structure of the judicial system, the relationship between the judiciary on the one hand and the legislature and the executive on the other, and the process for judicial appointments. 1.4 Part 1 of the Bill provides for the abolition of the office of Lord Chancellor and the arrangements for the future exercise of the functions of that office. It also makes provision designed to guarantee continued judicial independence. 1.5 Part 2 of the Bill creates a new Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, which will be separate from Parliament, and provides for the transfer of the appellate jurisdiction of the House of Lords and the devolution jurisdiction of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council to the new Supreme Court. It also provides for the process of appointment of judges to the new Court. 6 HL Bill 91-EN 7 Select Committee on the Constitutional Reform Bill [HL], Constitutional Reform Bill [HL], HL Paper 125+