Court Backlog Shropshire 2026-02-03
2026-02-03
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
In North Shropshire, there is a significant court backlog with more than 730 open cases at Shrewsbury Crown court as of last September, representing a 7% increase from the previous year. The wider West Mercia area ranks poorly for case processing time in the Crown court.
In my constituency of North Shropshire, residents have to travel to Shrewsbury to have their case heard. As of last September, there was a backlog of more than 730 open cases at Shrewsbury Crown court, a 7% increase on 2024. The wider West Mercia area ranks 43rd out of 44 areas for the time that it takes cases to get through the Crown court; they often take more than two years to be heard. Does the Secretary of State agree with Shrewsbury Crown court’s resident judge, Anthony Lowe, who said that this is not a “proper justice system”, and what steps will he take to improve the situation in West Mercia and Shropshire?
The hon. Member is right, which is why the Minister for Courts and Legal Services visited Telford a few months ago. It is important to say that Sir Brian Leveson has been absolutely clear in his report that we must pull all levers if we are serious about seeing this backlog come down by the next general election. That means investment in more sitting days; the hon. Member will be pleased about the extra days that we have invested in, in her area. It means modernisation, and dealing with the efficiency problems in the system that we inherited. Sir Brian will publish his report tomorrow. We also need reform, and I urge the Liberal Democrats to support our court reforms.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for specific actions but the response was more about acknowledging the problem and announcing general measures such as investment in sitting days and modernisation without concrete details.
Under Review
Will Focus On
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Since the election, there has been an increase in capacity in the justice system at Telford and Shropshire. However, HMCTS is not currently recruiting for magistrates in the area.
Since the election, the justice system in Telford and Shropshire has seen a massive increase in capacity. First, a magistrates court has been brought back into use, following years of closure because of a broken roof. We have also received news this week that the Nightingale court will become a permanent court, which is great. However, in order to increase capacity, we need to recruit and retain magistrates. To my great surprise, His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service is not currently recruiting for magistrates in my area. Will the Justice Secretary take a look at that, and work with me, so that we can recruit and retain as many magistrates as possible for our justice system?
I am very much looking forward to working with my hon. Friend, and am pleased with his recognition that the Nightingale court will continue, which is very important. The good news is that we are recruiting more magistrates across the system, including in his area. That announcement was made just two weeks ago.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy