Courts and Tribunals Sitting Days 2025-03-05

The shadow Lord Chancellor criticised the government for wasting time and not maximising available court capacity. He highlighted that the backlog has continued to grow despite the addition of sitting days and the refusal to utilise additional 6,500 days proposed by the Lady Chief Justice. Jenrick called for a clear plan and timetable from the Secretary of State on reducing the backlog.

The hon. Member congratulated the Lord Chancellor on the figures announced but urged for a commitment to sit Crown courts at capacity throughout the year, given the backlog of 73,000 cases.

The hon. Member welcomed the Justice Secretary’s announcement on reducing the backlog but expressed concern about ongoing victim support cuts and requested a commitment for year-by-year targets to reduce the backlog.

The hon. Member challenged the shadow Justice Secretary's criticism, noting that the backlog had been building over 14 years and praised the current Government for taking action to tackle it.

The right hon. Member welcomed the statement but suggested reducing civil system costs through alternative dispute resolution methods to fund criminal justice improvements.

The hon. Member acknowledged the Lord Chancellor's efforts and emphasised the importance of tackling crime at its source as part of a comprehensive approach to improving the justice system.

Announced additional sitting days, funded ongoing work to improve digitisation of court processes. Welcomed Sir Brian Leveson’s work for cross-system efficiency. Called out Conservative Members for not understanding the mess they left behind.

Welcomed extra sitting days and reform, but expressed concerns about Somerset Crown court closure affecting victims of crime.

Critiqued Conservative Members for leaving behind a court backlog. Highlighted the importance of cross-governmental conversations to ensure support staff availability.

Asserted that the situation is getting worse, despite extra sitting days being announced.

Asked when additional places would start bearing down on the remand population.

Called for more humility from Conservative Members who left a legacy of chaos in prisons and court backlog. Emphasised that blame lies at the door of the Conservative party.

Expressed reservations about the need for an additional intermediate court, asked about rehabilitation opportunities for offenders on remand.

Welcomed investment in criminal justice system but sought more detail about the case for a new court between magistrates and Crown courts.

Regretted that additional sitting days were not announced earlier. Questioned the effectiveness of current measures to reduce backlog, suggested consideration of structural change like an intermediate court.

Highlighted the Public Accounts Committee report on rape case delays. Criticised Conservatives for failing to address the issue during their 14 years in office, praised current Lord Chancellor's efforts.

Asked about likelihood of adopting a soft sentencing policy following the Lord Chancellor’s visit to Texas.

In June 2024, a shocking statistic emerged showing that 60% of rape victims were withdrawing from the court process due to delays. This is a damning indictment of all Governments who have held power. He asked what measures the Lord Chancellor was taking to reduce this number.

Responded by acknowledging the statistic and stating that today's announcement will help alleviate court backlogs, particularly for rape cases. She mentioned plans for independent legal advisers to protect victims' rights and prevent retraumatisation. She also highlighted an investment of £28.5 million in Crown court maintenance.

Asked about the closure of Harrow Crown court due to issues with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). He requested that the process be sped up to bring the court back into action.

Noted a reduction in Crown court judges under the last Conservative Government and highlighted Labour's improvements, including an extra judge, a remand court, and more sitting times. He expressed concern about defendants opting for longer trials due to backlog delays and sought assurance that police officers would continue arresting people.

Suggested that public confidence in the justice system is affected by clogged tribunal and court cases, particularly dubious decisions on deportation. He cited an example of a cocaine dealer who cannot be deported due to being considered 'too westernised'.

Requested radical reforms to address the Crown court backlog, including the use of magistrates courts. He noted that Harlow’s magistrates court closed in 2019.

Asked about specific conversations with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to speed up the planning process for more courtroom operations. He referred to his work on a report highlighting justice delays.

Thanked the Lord Chancellor for funding and reforms but criticised the shadow Justice Secretary's approach as lacking policy ideas and focusing on personal attacks. He highlighted Labour’s commitment to cleaning up the previous Government's mess.

Asked about court backlogs in Kent and their impact on crime levels, noting that criminals are seen as having a soft touch if cases do not reach court. He requested specific figures for Kent’s backlog.

Noted the high number of open Crown court cases in Staffordshire and highlighted concerns from Lichfield's police commander about delays affecting community relationships. He asked how sitting days would be targeted at serious offenders.

Welcomes the increase in Crown court sitting days but highlights the backlog of 18,907 pending cases in Northern Ireland's magistrates courts. Asks what discussions have been had with the policing and justice Minister to address delays.

Welcomes funding for structural reforms to increase capacity but notes that Shropshire’s county town of Shrewsbury currently has no working magistrates court. Asks if reforms will enable pragmatic reallocation of courtrooms between Crown and magistrate use.

Welcomes the announcement but highlights recruitment and retention challenges for lawyers, limiting access to justice. Asks what steps are being taken to ensure enough barristers and solicitors are available.

Notes the disrepair of courts identified by the Public Accounts Committee. Questions whether money spent on Nightingale courts, which in some cases cost six times more than normal courts, will be directed to repairs instead.

Welcomes emphasis on capacity and productivity but questions if the approach will also apply to family courts. Notes investment in infrastructure but highlights need for improved productivity.