Sexual Offences Delays to Trials 2022-07-05
2022-07-05
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
In Nottinghamshire, last year the average time between a case arriving at the Crown court and being completed for rape cases was 470 days. The Victims' Commissioner attributes the backlog growth before the pandemic to underinvestment.
I am concerned about delays in trials for child and adult victims of sexual offences, especially in Nottinghamshire where rape cases took an average of 470 days from arrival at Crown court to completion last year. I welcome the pilot of specialist courts but this does not address the root causes of the backlog growing before the pandemic due to underinvestment. When will these cuts be reversed to ensure everyone receives justice?
I acknowledge that there was a backlog before the pandemic, but it was lower than when Labour was in power. The courts collapsed due to social distancing measures during the pandemic. We have invested almost half a billion pounds in funding, removing ceilings on sitting days in Crown court this year and aiming to continue reducing the backlog for better justice.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify when funding cuts would be reversed or how they will ensure everyone receives justice
Pointing Out That Backlog Was Lower Under Labour
Referencing Pandemic As Cause
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
In Nottinghamshire, last year the average time between a case arriving at Crown court and being completed for rape cases was 470 days. The Victims' Commissioner attributes the backlog growth before the pandemic to underinvestment.
I thank the Minister for his reply. In Nottinghamshire last year, for cases involving rape the average time between a case arriving at the Crown court and being completed was 470 days—more than a year and three months. I am sure he agrees that this is completely unacceptable. The pilot of specialist courts to prosecute rape cases in just three areas will not tackle the root causes of the backlog, which grew long before the pandemic due to underinvestment. When will the Minister reverse these cuts and ensure everyone receives justice?
I confirm that we put in almost half a billion pounds of funding into the spending review. This ensures that for the second year on the trot, we are removing the ceiling on sitting days in the Crown court. Provided we reduce the disruption now, we should continue to reduce the backlog and deliver swifter justice.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify when funding cuts would be reversed or how they will ensure everyone receives justice
Referencing Pandemic As Cause
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Lord Chancellor claims protecting women and girls is his No.1 priority, yet victims face invasive legal aid applications that turn many away. The recent means test review is a step in the right direction but still does not address the issue fully.
I am concerned about invasive legal aid application processes for victims of domestic abuse that deter many from seeking help. While the recent means test review is positive, it does not go far enough and leaves vulnerable women representing themselves in court. What steps are being taken to increase legal aid accessibility?
Our consultation on the means test threshold would result in 2 million more people having access to legal aid in civil cases, including those affected by domestic abuse. We propose removing property assets from dispute considerations in relation to the capital test for civil legal aid. This highlights significant investment and positive reform.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps or timeline for increasing accessibility of legal aid
Response accuracy