Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Courts: Three-tier Covid Levels

Tuesday 3 November 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government's three-tier local covid-19 alert levels have affected the operation of the courts in Wales.
  • Judges prioritize urgent cases such as domestic violence protection orders and cases with vulnerable victims.
  • Courts have implemented measures like installing Perspex screens and providing jury retiring rooms to ensure safety.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Nick Smith Lab Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
Justice & Courts
Context

The justice system in Wales has faced significant challenges due to the firebreak lockdown, leading to operational difficulties.

Question

What assessment he has made of the effect of the Government's three-tier local covid-19 alert levels on the operation of the courts. In firebreak Wales, the justice system has had to operate under really difficult circumstances lately, and I pay credit to those who have worked so hard to adapt.

Answer from Chris Philp

Cases that are prioritised are decided by judges, and urgent cases such as domestic violence protection orders are being listed at the earliest possible opportunity. The most serious cases with vulnerable victims are also being given priority. HMCTS staff and the judiciary have been keeping courts running in difficult circumstances.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific prioritisation of hearings for serious crimes was not explicitly committed to, only generally acknowledged

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Q2 Nick Smith Lab Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
Justice & Courts
Context

Figures from the chief constable of Gwent indicate significant delays in first hearings and a 57% increase in witnesses being supported locally, suggesting operational difficulties.

Question

In firebreak Wales, the justice system has had to operate under really difficult circumstances lately, and I pay credit to those who have worked so hard to adapt. However, figures shared with me by the chief constable in Gwent point to significant delays in first hearings and a 57% increase in witnesses being supported locally. To help deal with this, will the Government prioritise hearings for the most serious crimes before they get lost in another backlog?

Answer from Chris Philp

Cases that are prioritised are decided by judges, and urgent cases such as domestic violence protection orders are being listed at the earliest possible opportunity. The most serious cases with vulnerable victims are also being given priority. HMCTS staff and the judiciary have been keeping courts running in difficult circumstances.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific prioritisation of hearings for serious crimes was not explicitly committed to, only generally acknowledged

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Q3 Alex Cunningham Lab
Justice & Courts NHS
Context

Outbreaks of covid have been reported despite assurances that everything possible is being done to keep courts safe. The Government has faced fines from the HSE for failures at Westminster magistrates court.

Question

In recent times we have seen outbreaks of covid in different courts around the country, despite the claims and answers to my parliamentary questions that everything possible is being done to keep them safe. The Government have been found out and hit with fines by the Health and Safety Executive for what can only be described as a catalogue of failures at Westminster magistrates court, including risk assessment found not to be suitable and sufficient. Then there were issues with social distancing, staff training and management arrangements. Can the Minister put his hand on his heart and honestly say that other courts would not fail the HSE test?

Answer from Chris Philp

A huge amount of work has happened over the past six months to risk-assess different courts, working with Public Health England and Wales, and talking to union representatives. Perspex screens are installed, jury retiring rooms are provided, and there is frequent cleaning in every courtroom.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Agreement to work specifically with staff representatives was not given

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