Committees

Sub judice resolution in the House of Commons

Inquiry

The Speaker has requested that the Procedure Committee conduct a review of the operation of the sub judice resolution in the House of Commons. The resolution is intended to preserve ‘comity’ between the courts and the House, to avoid Parliament influencing, or appearing to attempt to influence, the outcome of court proceedings, and to avoid Parliament acting as an alternative forum for resolution of matters that are before the courts. 

Parliament is an important forum for discussion of matters of public interest and national importance, and MPs should have the ability to raise, discuss and resolve such matters swiftly and effectively when they emerge. The courts, meanwhile, should also be reassured that their important work is able to proceed effectively to ensure the fair and swift administration of justice.

This inquiry will look at whether the current resolution, agreed by the House of Commons in 2001, continues to strike the appropriate balance.

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was 5:00pm on 31 July 2025.

Upcoming events

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Past events

Wednesday 21 January 2026
2:30pm Private
2:45pm Public
Sub judice resolution in the House of Commons - Oral evidence 21 January 2026
2:45pm
  • The Rt Hon. the Lord Hermer KC (Attorney General at Attorney General's Office)
Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 3 December 2025
2:30pm Private
2:45pm Public
Sub judice resolution in the House of Commons - Oral evidence 3 December 2025
2:45pm
  • The Rt Hon. the Baroness Scotland of Asthal KC, former Attorney General
3:30pm
  • Professor Penney Lewis, Commissioner for Criminal Law, Law Commission
Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 12 November 2025
2:30pm Private
2:45pm Public
Sub judice resolution in the House of Commons - Oral evidence 12 November 2025
2:45pm
  • Rt. Hon. Dominic Grieve KC
  • Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Ellis KBE, KC
  • Rt Hon Sir Jeremy Wright KC MP
Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 29 October 2025
2:30pm Private
2:45pm Public
Sub judice resolution in the House of Commons - Oral evidence 29 October 2025
2:45pm
  • Tom Goldsmith (Clerk of the House at House of Commons)
  • Tom Healey, Clerk of Legislation, House of Commons (Clerk of Legislation at House of Commons)
  • Eve Samson (Clerk of the Journals at House of Commons)
  • Dr Farrah Bhatti (Principal Clerk, Table Office at House of Commons)
  • Saira Salimi (Speaker's Counsel at House of Commons)
Room 15, Palace of Westminster

Contact us

  • Email: proccom@parliament.uk
  • Phone: General enquiries: 020 7219 3351 | Media enquiries: 020 7219 0969 / CommonsPressOffice@parliament.uk
  • Address: Procedure Committee, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA