Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Act 2008
Act of ParliamentThis bill passed all stages in both Houses and received Royal Assent.
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Long title
To make provision for the making of orders for securing the anonymity of witnesses in criminal proceedings.
Summary
This Bill would abolish the common law rules relating to anonymity orders for witnesses in criminal trials and replace them with statutory powers. <br><br>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.<br><br>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.
Progress through Parliament
- 1st reading· Commons
4 July 2008 – 4 July 2008
- 2nd reading· Commons
8 July 2008 – 8 July 2008
- Committee stage· Commons
8 July 2008 – 8 July 2008
- Report stage· Commons
8 July 2008 – 8 July 2008
- 3rd reading· Commons
8 July 2008 – 8 July 2008
- 1st reading· Lords
8 July 2008 – 8 July 2008
- 2nd reading· Lords
10 July 2008 – 10 July 2008
- Committee stage· Lords
15 July 2008 – 15 July 2008
- Report stage· Lords
15 July 2008 – 15 July 2008
- 3rd reading· Lords
15 July 2008 – 15 July 2008
- Consideration of Lords amendments· Commons
16 July 2008 – 16 July 2008
- Royal Assent· Unassigned
21 July 2008 – 21 July 2008
Source: UK Parliament Bills API. Bill ID: 327.