UK Parliament / Open data

Modern Slavery Bill

Proceeding contribution from Baroness Butler-Sloss (Crossbench) in the House of Lords on Monday, 23 February 2015. It occurred during Debate on bills on Modern Slavery Bill.

My Lords, I have also put my name to this amendment—as with the two noble Baronesses who have spoken, for the purpose of further consideration, not for the purpose of being part of the Bill at the moment.

There are two points that I want to make. The first is that there is clearly a gap. The second is that this would give an opportunity to victims who cannot have the satisfaction of the trafficker prosecuted—or indeed if the trafficker or slave owner is actually acquitted—none the less to take civil proceedings under a different and less onerous standard of care. The criminal law, as I am sure everyone in this House knows, requires the jury or the magistrate to be satisfied so as to be sure, but in the civil courts—the High Court, the county courts or the small claims courts—it is sufficient to have the balance of probabilities. So it gives an added opportunity to those who have suffered to get some redress, even if it does not go through the criminal courts. It is for that reason that we seek the opportunity for the Government to have a look at this to see whether something can be done at a later stage.

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
759 c1462 
Session
2014-15
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Back to top