COURT staff are set to be handed judicial powers under new laws, leading Labour to warn the Government is eroding the rule of law.

The reforms will give court staff power to carry out routine judicial functions such as changing the start time of a hearing in the Crown Court, thus freeing up judges' time.

Ministers pledged the changes would make justice "quicker and easier" but Labour warned the reforms could see unqualified staff taking important judicial decisions.

Shadow justice minister Yasmin Qureshi, moving a raft of Labour amendments to the Courts and Tribunals (Judiciary and Functions of Staff) Bill, said: "Unless we have a careful scrutiny and additional safeguards this Government's drip feed approach to court reform will erode some of our most fundamental institutions and our understanding of the rule of law."

The Bolton South East MP, who is a barrister, said that any member of court staff asked to make judicial decisions should be a qualified legal professional with at least three years' experience.

She said: "It's only appropriate for our country to have the people who are making these decisions with some experience and therefore asking for three year qualification is not actually a big ask or a big obligation or big burden on the state, I think it's at least the minimum we're asking."

Imran Hussain, who is also in the shadow justice team, said Labour did not oppose reform in principle, but added: "We cannot support the changes in this Bill without the protections that we, the Bar Council and the Law Society amongst other organisations and legal professionals have called for.

"Unfortunately on these matters we feel we have been ignored and therefore we will be opposing the Bill."

Justice Minister Lucy Frazer said the Bill made "small and technical" changes that would make "access to justice quicker and easier for all".

She added: "The Bill will improve the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the courts and tribunals and importantly it will reduce delays this will ensure we deliver a speedier resolution of matters, importantly for the benefit of those who use our courts and tribunals system."

Most of the proposals were contained in the previous and more far-reaching Prisons and Courts Bill, which fell when the general election was called.

Labour MP Louise Haigh (Sheffield Heeley) later reiterated concerns over men who have fathered children through rape having parental rights.

She highlighted the case of Sammy Woodhouse, a survivor of Rotherham's child exploitation scandal.

Ms Haigh said the system allows anyone to make an application through the family courts, meaning men who have been convicted of rape can seek access or visitation rights to the child born by their victim.

She added: "This could be prevented through a simple ban on any man who has been convicted of fathering a child through rape from applying to the family courts.

"I know the Government is reticent to bring this forward out of concern for the convicted rapist's article eight right to a family life, but I'm afraid this simply isn't good enough."

Ms Haigh added article eight of the European Convention on Human Rights is a "qualified right and not one that should override the rights of women and children and their safety".

Ms Frazer said she was pleased to meet Ms Haigh and Miss Woodhouse, noting the issues raised were "outside the scope" of the Bill before MPs.

She said: "Nonetheless the position the position that Sammy has been through is harrowing and (Ms Haigh) made some important points.

"She knows I committed to look very carefully at the issues that she raised and I'd like to assure her I'm doing that."

Ms Frazer said officials have held talks about potential changes and she will "continue to look closely" at the issues".

The Bill passed its third reading 302 to 233 votes and will progress to Royal Assent.