Criminal Court Case Backlog 2023-06-27
2023-06-27
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the backlog of criminal court cases and its impact on justice.
What steps his Department is taking to reduce the backlog of criminal court cases. I am concerned about the delays in criminal proceedings which affect victims, witnesses, and defendants alike. What specific actions are being taken?
The Government remain committed to reducing the outstanding case load in the Crown court and are working with partners across the criminal justice system. We have removed the cap on the number of days the Crown court can sit for two years, recruited 1,000 judges this year and another 1,000 last year, extended Nightingale courts, and opened permanent super-courtrooms in Manchester and Loughborough.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions to address backlog without details on effectiveness or timeline
Government Remain Committed
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is seeking statistics on the backlog of cases in north Wales and Wales.
Will the Minister give the figures for the backlog in north Wales, where my constituency of Clwyd South is located, and for Wales overall? What factors are affecting those figures?
As of December 2022, the outstanding case load in north Wales was 337 and in Wales overall it was 2,106—a 34% increase from pre-pandemic levels. The backlog has been impacted by the pandemic and actions by the Criminal Bar Association.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is interested in the effectiveness of pre-recorded evidence in speeding up justice.
What assessment does the Minister have of the effectiveness of pre-recorded evidence in speeding up the justice process? My attention has been drawn to a case where those involved had to wait three years to give evidence. How effective is this new method?
The roll-out of section 28 video recording has been available since November 2020 for victims of sexual and modern slavery offences, particularly important with vulnerable witnesses. However, rolling it out across the whole estate may diminish its impact on speeding up cases.
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Assessment & feedback
Evaluation without specific metrics or timelines
Important
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP refers to a report indicating serious accessibility issues in magistrates courts.
Has the Minister considered the Magistrates Association report on court accessibility failings? What has happened to all that cash the Government claim to be investing if it is not addressing basic needs?
The Government are committed to improving the whole court estate, investing £1 million in diversity, and supporting magistrates with specific needs. Investment will continue to address all issues.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions to improve accessibility without concrete plans or timelines
Committed
Response accuracy