Court Delays Attrition 2022-05-24
2022-05-24
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Court delays have led to a backlog, with 57,800 cases outstanding as of March 2022. Last year saw 1.3 million cases dropped due to victim attrition.
I am concerned about the impact of court delays on victim attrition rates. With 1.3 million cases dropped last year and low charge rates for certain crimes, how is the government addressing these issues adequately?
We are making progress on court delays in the Crown Court. The backlog has reduced by 5% since June 2021, but we recognise the need to address victim attrition rates. We have increased victim support funding to £185 million by 2024-25 and will fund over 1,000 independent sexual and domestic abuse advisers.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Minister previously mentioned progress in reducing court delays but did not address low charge rates for certain crimes, such as robbery at 7% and theft at 3%. This issue affects crime statistics negatively.
Last year saw the dropping of 1.3 million cases due to victim attrition, on top of low charge rates for crimes like robbery (7%) and theft (3%). How is progress quick enough given these factors?
Attrition is a significant issue, particularly for rape cases. Last year saw a 67% increase in rape convictions with an additional 15% increase in Q4. We have put measures in place to address capacity issues and improve court operations.
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Assessment & feedback
The pace of progress and low charge rates were not specifically addressed, only improvements in conviction rates highlighted.
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The Justice Committee published a report highlighting significant delays and injustice caused by court backlogs. The committee called for sustained investment to address judicial capacity, physical capacity, data, technology, and improved processes.
Despite efforts from the Government, delays in Crown Court have reached unjust levels. Will tackling this require not just victim measures but a comprehensive approach including judicial capacity, physical capacity, maintenance, data, technology, and improved processes?
We have committed £0.5 billion in funding to tackle Crown Court backlogs, and we are addressing judicial capacity through legislation. We reopened 60 courtrooms post-pandemic and recently had Royal Assent for a new pension scheme to improve recruitment of judges.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Ministry has secured funding to reduce the backlog to 53,000 cases by 2025. However, the recent criminal justice joint inspection report highlighted trauma for victims waiting years for justice.
Can the Minister confirm average waiting times and how additional funding will cut these waiting times given that reducing the backlog still dwarfs pre-pandemic figures?
We are addressing capacity through measures such as removing the cap on sitting days in Crown Court and increasing magistrates' sentencing powers via legislation. The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 will release up to 1,700 days for serious cases.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific average waiting times were not provided, only general measures taken.
Response accuracy