Modern Slavery Bill: Legal Steering Committee

News16th December 2013

Gordon Nardell QC was a member of the Legal Steering Committee whose work was acknowledged in the Report accompanying the draft Modern Slavery Bill, published by the Home Office on 16 December. The draft Bill, which is expected to receive cross-party support, modernises the law on people-trafficking and related issues. It consolidates various trafficking and slavery offences, increases the available sentences, and establishes the new office of Anti-Slavery Commissioner. The content of the Bill was informed by the Report of the Review Panel, Chaired by Labour MP Frank Field and including former Family Division President, Baroness Butler-Sloss. The Review Panel was assisted by the Legal Steering Committee whose members included experts on trafficking and slavery law.  Gordon was asked to join the Committee to contribute his expertise on EU law and as former Parliamentary Counsel. The Review Panel’s Report can be viewed here. The draft Bill, which will now be scrutinised by a Select Committee of both Houses, is on the Home Office website.