Court Cases Backlog 2023-03-28
2023-03-28
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The backlog in court cases has become a significant concern, affecting the justice system's efficiency and public confidence.
What progress have you made on tackling the backlog of court cases? I am concerned about the outstanding case load across the UK and its impact on justice delivery.
The outstanding case load has reduced across the UK. We are taking action to bring backlogs down and improve waiting times for those who use our courts, though I do not have specific numbers for constituencies.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific constituency data
I Do Not Have Specific Numbers For My Hon. Friend'S Constituency, As We Do Not Calculate Them By Constituency.
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The delay in justice delivery has raised concerns about the effectiveness of measures taken to clear backlogs.
My hon. Friend will be aware of the saying that justice delayed is justice denied. What steps are being taken to ensure courts sit for as long as possible to try to get the backlog down?
We have removed the limit on sitting days in the Crown court, courts will continue to work at full capacity. We are continuing with the use of 24 Nightingale courtrooms into the 7th financial year and recruiting 1,000 new members of the judiciary.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Victims are facing long delays with up to four and a half years wait for their day in court. Since 2010, over half of magistrates courts have been closed.
Do the Secretary of State and the Minister believe that victims having to wait up to four and a half years for their day in court and the closure of 50% of magistrates courts since 2010 is a coincidence?
I am less concerned about building availability across towns and cities than ensuring sitting days and judges to ensure swift justice. We focus on having sufficient capacity in courts rather than specific buildings.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific stance on coincidence of issues
I Am Less Hung Up About The Availability Of Buildings In Every Town And City
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The National Audit Office reported significant issues with the common platform system, including ailing projects and failing processes.
When will Ministers be able to quantify the decreasing benefits of the programme and demonstrate that it has improved access to justice? Do you agree with the NAO's findings?
We have paused implementation due to identified issues. While staff using common platform understand its benefits, we are pausing it until better implemented. Returning to legacy systems is not an option as they will soon be unsupported.
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Assessment & feedback
Quantifying decreasing benefits and timeline for improvements
We Are Pausing It
The Alternative Is To Return To Legacy Systems
Response accuracy