BlackBeltBarrister

My Petition in Parliament

The video announces a parliamentary debate sparked by a public petition that calls for all court and tribunal transcripts to be made freely available. Over 200,000 citizens signed the petition, prompting MP Robbie Moore to open the discussion and highlighting the issue’s resonance across constituencies. Key arguments focus on the inadequacy of the existing fee‑based system, which the speaker argues undermines transparency and disproportionately harms victims, bereaved families, and the wrongly accused. The petition seeks to codify free access as a legal obligation, framing court records as a public good rather than a commodity. The speaker thanks lead petitioner Daniel Shen Smith and contributors Dr. Natalie Benron, Adam Moren, and Fiona Godard for shaping the campaign, underscoring the collaborative effort behind the initiative. The debate’s cross‑party attendance reflects a rare consensus on improving judicial openness. If adopted, the proposal could reshape access to justice by eliminating cost barriers, bolstering public confidence in the legal system, and setting a precedent for greater governmental transparency across other public records.