Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Act 2008
- Type of Bill:
- Government Bill
- Sponsors:
- Mr Jack Straw
Ministry of Justice - Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
Ministry of Justice
Progress of the Bill
Bill started in the House of Commons
- House of Commons
-
- House of Lords
-
-
- Royal Assent
Last event
-
Royal Assent 21 July, 2008
|
21.07.2008
Act of Parliament
| House | Act | Date |
|---|---|---|
|
Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Act 2008 c.15 - html version | 29.07.2008 |
Summary of the Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Act 2008
This Bill would abolish the common law rules relating to anonymity orders for witnesses in criminal trials and replace them with statutory powers.This is in response to the judgment of the House of Lords, on 18 June 2008, in R v Davis, in which it was held that the measures ordered by the court to ensure the anonymity of some witnesses had been beyond its jurisdiction.
The Bill has been introduced as an emergency measure because the judgment is likely to affect a number of ongoing prosecutions in which similar anonymity measures have been ordered, as well as convictions resulting from trials in which witnesses have given evidence anonymously.
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