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Courts and Tribunals Sitting Days 2025-03-05
05 March 2025
Lead MP
Shabana Mahmood
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Justice & CourtsEmployment
Other Contributors: 32
At a Glance
Shabana Mahmood raised concerns about courts and tribunals sitting days 2025-03-05 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice announced a record investment in the criminal courts with £2.5 billion allocated, representing up to 110,000 sitting days in the next financial year. The backlog stands at over 73,000 cases, doubling the figure from five years ago. She committed to reducing delays and improving justice delivery through efficiency measures and structural reforms proposed by Sir Brian Leveson.
Robert Jenrick
Con
Newark
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.
Andy Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
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.
Eastbourne
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.
Amber Valley
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.
Julian Smith
Con
Skipton and Ripon
The right hon. Member welcomed the statement but suggested reducing civil system costs through alternative dispute resolution methods to fund criminal justice improvements.
Warinder Juss
Lab
Wolverhampton West
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.
Shabana Mahmood
Lab
Birmingham Ladywood
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.
Gideon Amos
LD
Taunton and Wellington
Welcomed extra sitting days and reform, but expressed concerns about Somerset Crown court closure affecting victims of crime.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
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.
Gavin Williamson
Con
Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge
Asked when additional places would start bearing down on the remand population.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
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.
Gavin Robinson
DUP
Belfast East
Expressed reservations about the need for an additional intermediate court, asked about rehabilitation opportunities for offenders on remand.
Jayne Kirkham
Lab/Co-op
Truro and Falmouth
Welcomed investment in criminal justice system but sought more detail about the case for a new court between magistrates and Crown courts.
Ashley Fox
Con
Bridgwater
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.
Yasmin Qureshi
Lab
Bolton South and Walkden
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.
James Wild
Con
North West Norfolk
Asked about likelihood of adopting a soft sentencing policy following the Lord Chancellor’s visit to Texas.
Paul Waugh
Lab/Co-op
Rochdale
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.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
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.
Shaun Davies
Lab
Telford
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.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
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'.
Chris Vince
Lab/Co-op
Harlow
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.
Peter Fortune
Con
Bromley and Biggin Hill
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.
Jas Athwal
Lab
Ilford South
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.
Mike Martin
LD
Tunbridge Wells
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.
Dave Robertson
Lab
Lichfield
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.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
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.
Julia Buckley
Lab
Shrewsbury
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.
Laurence Turner
Lab
Birmingham Northfield
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.
Nesil Caliskan
Lab
Barking
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.
Jake Richards
Lab
Rother Valley
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.
Government Response
The Lord Chancellor defended the government's efforts to address court backlogs, emphasising that investments in court sitting days represent significant progress. She acknowledged challenges inherited from previous administrations and emphasised learning from international criminal justice reforms for effective solutions. Shabana Mahmood, as Justice Minister, discussed ongoing efforts to address court backlog through additional sitting days and digitisation of processes. Defended government's record on funding and resources for Crown courts. Acknowledged the backlog issue, discussed measures to reduce it including investments and independent legal advisers for rape victims. Mentioned plans to speed up court reopenings and highlighted increased funding for Crown court maintenance. Responds to MPs with assurances about the Government's commitment to local justice, increased recruitment to magistracy, and steps taken to increase availability of lawyers. Acknowledges concerns about Nightingale courts and commits to review their status.
Shadow Response
Robert Jenrick
Shadow Response
The shadow Lord Chancellor questioned the government's failure to utilise available resources, criticised the refusal of additional sitting days proposed by the judiciary, and called for a clear plan on reducing court backlogs. He also raised concerns over new sentencing guidelines that may disproportionately affect minority communities.
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