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Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Call for panel to hold public hearing
A group of criminal lawyers want proposed changes to the Criminal Procedure Code to be subject to closer and deeper public scrutiny as it is a matter which may concern a lot of people.
A group of criminal lawyers want proposed changes to the Criminal Procedure Code to be subject to closer and deeper public scrutiny as it is a matter which may concern a lot of people.
The Association of Criminal Lawyers (ACLS) has called for a Select Committee to hold a public hearing on the proposed changes.
Such a committee of MPs will seek views from the public, experts and interested parties on the impact of the changes.
In 1970, for example, a Select Committee was convened to look into the abolition of jury trials.
Similarly in 1986, changes were made to the Legal Profession Act tightening laws governing the Law Society only after a committee hearing.
Such hearings have also been held on issues such as abortion, car usage and collective sales.
The ACLS said a Select Committee will allow various stakeholders in the criminal justice system to provide relevant statistics and feedback in an open forum. ‘For example, a robust discussion surrounding the efficacy of the existing sentencing options backed by the relevant numbers will aid the Law Ministry in formulating proper strategies for sentencing,’ it said.
It also noted that a Select Committee was ‘unfortunately’ not appointed for the Penal Code changes which came into effect in February last year.
ACLS president Subhas Anandan said: ‘We are not saying that all legal changes should be the subject of Select Committee hearings but it should be done for a major and important piece of legislation like the Criminal Procedure Code.’
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Call for panel to hold public hearing
3 March 2009
A group of criminal lawyers want proposed changes to the Criminal Procedure Code to be subject to closer and deeper public scrutiny as it is a matter which may concern a lot of people.
The Association of Criminal Lawyers (ACLS) has called for a Select Committee to hold a public hearing on the proposed changes.
Such a committee of MPs will seek views from the public, experts and interested parties on the impact of the changes.
In 1970, for example, a Select Committee was convened to look into the abolition of jury trials.
Similarly in 1986, changes were made to the Legal Profession Act tightening laws governing the Law Society only after a committee hearing.
Such hearings have also been held on issues such as abortion, car usage and collective sales.
The ACLS said a Select Committee will allow various stakeholders in the criminal justice system to provide relevant statistics and feedback in an open forum. ‘For example, a robust discussion surrounding the efficacy of the existing sentencing options backed by the relevant numbers will aid the Law Ministry in formulating proper strategies for sentencing,’ it said.
It also noted that a Select Committee was ‘unfortunately’ not appointed for the Penal Code changes which came into effect in February last year.
ACLS president Subhas Anandan said: ‘We are not saying that all legal changes should be the subject of Select Committee hearings but it should be done for a major and important piece of legislation like the Criminal Procedure Code.’
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