The Justice and Security Bill - LDLA Special Meeting 

"The Joint Committee on Human Rights criticised the bill, the Lords amended it, 700 legal professionals wrote to the Daily Mail deploring it, the majority of special advocates – who know how secret justice works in practice – wrote to condemn it, and then on Monday evening the president of the supreme court, Lord Neuberger, said on air that "anyone interested in justice and democracy" would be "very troubled" by the prospect of cases being heard behind closed doors.” Henry Porter The Observer, Saturday 9 March 2013.

Others argue:

 “I have yet to find a viable way, other than proposed by the Bill, to ensure that serious charges made against our security services can be examined in a court of law.” Tom McNally  (LibDem Voice 14th March 2013)

and now two members of LDLA have resigned from the party over their concerns.

Is the legislation a way of enabling government to cover up the wrongs of permitting torture and illegal rendition? Or will it prevent the exploitation of our system of justice through fear of revealing  surveillance secrets.

As Chair of LDLA , I have called a special meeting for all sides to put their case and  to see if there are new thoughts that could lead to an agreement.

Come and have your say or listen and find out more.

The Bill has returned from the House of Commons and will be considered again in the House of Lords on 26^th March. A summary of the conclusions of our meeting will be circulated to LibDem Peers

Interest in the meeting is expected to be high and there will be a nominal £10.00 registration fee (£5.00 students/pupils/trainees/concessions) or £15.00 (£10 students/pupils/trainees/concessions) at the door towards LDLA costs. Telephone or postal bookings are at £15.00. Ticket holders will have priority.

Reading

http://www.libdemvoice.org/lord-mcnally-writes-justice-and-security-bill-our-authentic-and-liberal-efforts-33693.html

 Ming Campbell MP writes… Why I support the Justice and Security Bill (LibDem Voice March 2013) 

Article by Jo Shaw on  Lib Dem Lawyers Website

http://www.libdemlawyers.org.uk/articles/download/47/

LibDems against secret courts campaign website: libdemsagainstsecretcourts.org.uk

Article by Philippe Sands and Dinah Rose: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/nov/18/secret-evidence-undermine-rule-of-law

Pamphlet published by Centre for Policy Studies by Andrew Tyrie MP and Tony Peto QC "Neither Just Nor Secure" http://www.cps.org.uk/publications/reports/neither-just-nor-secure/

More Information

Meeting arrangements and CPD availability are subject to alteration at the discretion of LDLA