JUSTICE submitted a briefing in June 2016 ahead of House of Lords Second Reading Briefing Part 4.
This briefing addresses the new pre-charge bail process set out under Chapter 1 of Part 4 of the Bill. JUSTICE welcomes the introduction of a presumption of release without bail. Where bail with conditions can be granted as an alternative to remand in custody, it serves as a means of ensuring the greatest amount of liberty for the suspect. However, bail itself can also inhibit liberty where it is imposed unnecessarily. The presumption of release without bail and means of reviewing necessity for bail proposed by this Bill will therefore reduce its use.