Overview

The Transparency and Accountability Bill aims to increase transparency and accountability within the justice system, family courts, and public services. It introduces measures to improve children's rights in care proceedings, strengthens freedom of information provisions, and enhances mechanisms for handling consumer complaints regarding public services.

Description

This bill covers various areas. Part 1 (Family Justice) focuses on children's rights in case conferences and court proceedings, including greater participation rights for extended family. It mandates independent chairs for case conferences, secret ballots for decisions, and appeals processes. It also aims to improve the treatment of children in care, including independent complaint mechanisms and ensuring fair criminal record practices. Additionally, it enhances grandparents' rights to contact with grandchildren and their potential role in childcare arrangements. Changes are also made to the Adoption and Children Act 2002 to ensure that relatives are considered as potential carers before placement with a local authority.

Part 2 (Administration of Justice) abolishes the common law offence of scandalising the court, mandates online publication of contempt of court cases, and limits costs in judicial review cases. It enhances the Criminal Cases Review Commission's powers and requires special consideration for prisoners maintaining their innocence in parole decisions. It also introduces provisions for court recordings by parties and expands rights for individuals deemed to lack litigation capacity.

Part 3 (Consumer Complaints) expands the scope of "super-complaints" to include public services (healthcare, social care, childcare, education, and higher education), directing complaints to relevant regulators.

Part 4 (Freedom of Information) extends freedom of information requirements to contracts held by public authorities and those acting on their behalf, ensuring greater transparency in public procurement.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly state specific figures for government spending. However, implementing the various provisions, particularly those related to independent bodies, additional reporting requirements, and support services for prisoners, will likely lead to increased government expenditure. The exact amount is not specified in the provided text.

Groups Affected

• Children involved in family court proceedings: Increased rights and protections.
• Parents and extended families: Increased involvement in children's case conferences and court proceedings.
• Children in care: Access to independent complaint mechanisms and fairer criminal record practices.
• Grandparents: Increased rights to contact with grandchildren and potential role in childcare.
• Prisoners: Potential changes to parole processes, particularly for those maintaining innocence.
• Courts and legal professionals: Changes to procedures and reporting requirements.
• Public authorities and contractors: Increased transparency and accountability obligations under freedom of information rules.
• Consumers of public services: Enhanced mechanisms for lodging complaints.

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