The end of the Parliamentary session could jeopardise government Bills

Opposition in the Lords to limit jury trials and disquiet over foundation hospitals among MPs could see government forced into concessions.

The parliamentary session ends on Thursday ahead of next week's Queens Speech.

Bills could "ping-pong" between both houses as the government seeks to overturn any amendments by peers.

On Tuesday the Criminal Justice Bill comes before MPs again after the House of Lords introduced a series of amendments.

Double jeopardy?

They included overturning plans to introduce judge-only trials in complex fraud cases or where there is a fear that a jury has been "nobbled".

The government will also want to ensure that plans to end the "double- jeopardy" rule where compelling new evidence has subsequently emerged go through.

Double-jeopardy means someone found not guilty of a particular crime cannot be tried again for it.

Peers have also shown concern that if the Bill becomes law, it will allow a defendant's previous offences to be disclosed to juries in some circumstances.

The Health and Social Care Bill - which includes the proposed introduction of foundation hospitals - has also been subjected to a series of amendments by peers many of which the government will want to reverse on Wednesday.

But more worryingly for the government the plans could founder in the Commons if rebel Labour MPs and opposition members join forces.

Peers also want to grant anonymity for people standing trial for rape and have twice tried to amend the government's Sexual Offences Bill - a move likely to be overturned again by MPs on Tuesday.

Prorogation

These and other measures including proposals for an EU-wide arrest warrant and the Anti-social Behaviour Bill have also run into opposition in the Lords.

If peers insist on their amendments then Parliament faces some long hours as government removes clauses introduced in the Lords.

Peers could then put them back in again with the process continuing until both Houses rise on Thursday.

A Bill normally has to be approved by both Houses of Parliament before it can gain Royal Assent and be placed on the statute book.

The brief recess that precedes the Queen's Speech is known as "prorogation" and it will end when Parliament reconvenes for the state opening on Wednesday.

If time runs out this week then some Bills will not become law and may have to be reintroduced in the next session.

It is when this looks likely that the government may decide a few concessions are necessary.