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Bill · started in the Commons

Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Act 2008

To make provision for the making of orders for securing the anonymity of witnesses in criminal proceedings.

Now an Act of Parliament

The story so farThe Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 4 July 2008 by Mr Jack Straw (Labour). It completed its passage through Parliament and became law as the Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Act 2008, receiving Royal Assent on 21 July 2008.

What the bill does

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

  1. 1st reading Commons 4 Jul 2008
  2. 2nd reading Commons 8 Jul 2008
  3. Committee stage Commons 8 Jul 2008
  4. Report stage Commons 8 Jul 2008
  5. 3rd reading Commons 8 Jul 2008
  6. 1st reading Lords 8 Jul 2008
  7. 2nd reading Lords 10 Jul 2008
  8. Committee stage Lords 15 Jul 2008
  9. Report stage Lords 15 Jul 2008
  10. 3rd reading Lords 15 Jul 2008
  11. Consideration of Lords amendments Commons 16 Jul 2008
  12. Royal Assent Unassigned 21 Jul 2008

Source: the official bill page. Last updated 24 Feb 2009.