Key justice legislation could be axed by Parliament shutdown

updated on 30 August 2019

Much-needed domestic abuse legislation could be lost if the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson goes ahead with his plan to prorogue Parliament so that MPs are unable to influence whether the UK exits the European Union without a withdrawal agreement on 31 October.

The Law Gazette reports that the Domestic Abuse Bill, which prohibits cross-examination in person in family proceedings in certain circumstances, has yet to have a second reading in which it could be passed into law.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill, which would finally create a ‘no fault’ divorce in England and Wales, can be enacted before Parliament shuts down in the second week of September.

Bills that have not received royal assent must be specifically selected to be carried over to the next Parliamentary session, which would commence in October, otherwise they would cease to exist.

The plan to prorogue Parliament is highly controversial, with several of Johnson’s fellow Conservatives, including former attorney generals Dominic Grieve and David Gauke, opposing it as unconstitutional.