Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Nightingale Courts

Tuesday 2 February 2021 · 5 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Extra 250 million spent to facilitate court recovery, opening 40 additional Nightingale courtrooms with another 20 planned to open by March.
  • Over 290 Crown court jury trials are currently happening, exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
  • Nightingale courts often lack custody facilities but help free up space elsewhere for necessary services.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lilian Greenwood Lab Nottingham South
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP noted significant delays in the justice system and concerns about the establishment of Nightingale courts in Nottinghamshire. HMCTS said 200 were needed.

Question

What progress has been made on planning for the opening and operation of Nightingale courts? The Minister already knows that Nottingham's police and crime commissioner, chief constable, and I are concerned about delays in bringing serious criminal cases to trial and the lack of a Nightingale court in Nottinghamshire. Why is progress slow? 200 were needed; what prevents addressing this problem?

Answer from Chris Philp

An extra £250 million was spent to facilitate court recovery, opening up 40 additional Nightingale courtrooms with a further 20 to open by March. Investment is ongoing and an extra 1600 HMCTS staff are being hired. However, the proposals for Nightingale courts in Nottingham are under study and future discussions are planned.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on investment for Nightingale courts beyond confirming £250m was spent for court recovery overall

How: Looking At Proposals, Future Discussions

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Q2 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Justice & Courts
Context

HMCTS reported 53,000 cases waiting to come before Crown courts. Housing associations in Cambridgeshire have issues with papers for community protection notices being lost or not opened.

Question

There are huge delays in the justice system. HMCTS reports 53,000 cases waiting to be heard by Crown courts. In Cambridgeshire, housing associations report problems with papers for community protection notices. How many Nightingale courts are hearing criminal trials today and how many will be by end of 2021?

Answer from Chris Philp

Since August, disposals in magistrates courts have exceeded receipts every month. There are over 290 Crown court jury trials currently, more than pre-pandemic levels. Just before Christmas, disposals in the system exceeded receipts for the first time during the pandemic.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific numbers of Nightingale courts hearing criminal trials today and by end of 2021

How: System Recovery

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Q3 Lilian Greenwood Lab Nottingham South
Policing & Resources Justice & Courts
Context

Concerns exist about delays in bringing serious criminal cases to trial and the lack of a Nightingale court in Nottinghamshire. HMCTS said 200 were needed.

Question

The Minister knows that Nottingham's police and crime commissioner, chief constable, and I are concerned about delays in bringing serious criminal cases to trial and the lack of a Nightingale court in Nottinghamshire. We look forward to promised discussions but all Members want to understand why progress is slow. 200 were needed; what prevents addressing this problem? How much investment has the Treasury earmarked for Nightingale courts?

Answer from Chris Philp

An extra £250 million was spent this year to facilitate court recovery. HMCTS is hiring an additional 1600 staff and there are more Crown court jury trial rooms than pre-pandemic levels. Proposals for Nightingale courts in Nottingham are under study, and future discussions are planned.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on investment for Nightingale courts beyond confirming £250m was spent overall

How: Studying Proposals, Future Discussions

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Q4 Bob Neill Con
Justice & Courts
Context

Nightingale courts are seen as an important addition to court capacity, but many cannot handle custody cases. Sustained investment is needed over months and years.

Question

The extra investment is important and should be recognised, and Nightingale courts can make an important addition to court capacity, but does my hon. Friend the Minister agree that most Nightingale courts are not equipped to handle custody cases? Is not the long-term solution sustained investment to ensure all physical Crown courts sit maximum days safely?

Answer from Chris Philp

Often, Nightingale courts do not have custody facilities but free up space elsewhere. We ensure no constraints on listing cases for the current financial year and are expecting a substantial increase in sitting days next financial year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details about long-term investment plans or ensuring resources for all Crown courts

How: Freeing Up Space, Future Discussions

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Q5 David Lammy Lab Tottenham
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Backlogs have increased significantly since the Government took office. HMCTS head said 200 Nightingale courts were needed.

Question

The Government's answer to scale of crisis is higher backlog in past, but Minister knows this distracts. In 2010, cases took 391 days; by 2019, closed half courts, reduced sitting days to 27,000, and each case took 511 days with 30% fewer cases completed but 75% longer time. How can he be so complacent announcing just 40 extra rooms when HMCTS head said we need 200?

Answer from Chris Philp

A range of measures are used, including cloud video platform leading to over 20,000 remote hearings last week. Before pandemic in 2020, outstanding caseload was 39,000; under Labour in 2010 it was 47,000. Crime fell from 9.5 million cases in 2010 to 5.6 million in 2020 under Conservative Government.

Not addressed: Skirted specific timeline and avoided addressing backlog issue directly

How: Cloud Video Platform, Historical Comparison

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