The justice secretary’s “Heroism Bill” has come under fire from both sides of the House during its second reading.
The Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill, (SARAH) requires courts to take the context into account when deciding negligence claims, for example, was there an emergency or was the defendant trying to do a good deed? However, some of its critics say it does nothing to change the law and is therefore a waste of Parliamentary time. Others, including the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, say it encourages recklessness.
During the debate, Conservative MP Edward Garnier, a former solicitor general, predicted the Bill would become “the object of derision and ridicule”.
Shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan described SARAH as “embarrassing and pathetic”.
