A Bill to make provision regarding arrangements for children involved in court proceedings; to make provision about the transparency, administration and accountability of courts and case conferences; to require the Secretary of State to report to Parliament annually on the number of prisoners who have exceeded their tariff and have not been released because they do not admit guilt; to extend the Criminal Cases Review Commission’s powers to obtain information; to make provision about consumer complaints in markets for public services; to amend certain sections of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 relating to contracts; and for connected purposes.
House of Commons
27 March 2015
The Transparency and Accountability Bill aims to improve openness and fairness in the courts, including how children are involved in court proceedings and how case conferences are run. It would also require an annual Parliament report on prisoners who have exceeded their tariff and remain unreleased because they do not admit guilt, extend the Criminal Cases Review Commission’s ability to obtain information, and introduce consumer complaint provisions for public service markets and related FOI contract rules.
The bill is currently at the Second Reading in the House of Commons. If it progresses, it will move to Committee stage, then Report stage, and onward through Parliament.
Generated 21 February 2026
The Bill had its first reading on 2 July 2014 through the Private Members' Bill ballot procedure.
The Bill began its second reading on 17 October 2014 but the debate was adjourned.
The 2014-15 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
