Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Backlog of Court Cases

Thursday 18 March 2021 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Lee Anderson asked about the effectiveness of steps taken by the CPS to address the backlog of cases due to the covid-19 outbreak.
  • James Grundy requested reassurance that serious cases are being prioritised to protect the public.
  • Lee Anderson inquired about ensuring justice for victims of violence against women and girls despite delays caused by the backlog.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield
Justice & Courts
Context

The question addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the backlog of cases in the courts and the steps taken by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Question

What assessment has been made of the effectiveness of steps taken by the CPS to tackle the increased backlog of cases before the courts as a result of the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

Notwithstanding the pandemic, the courts have continued to operate and the Crown Prosecution Service has continued to play its part in our justice system. I was very pleased to read the recently published report by Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate on the CPS's response to the court backlogs in the light of covid. The report reflects the CPS's hard work, and finds that over the pandemic it has maintained its ability to function well, and to continue to deliver its essential public services.

Answered
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Q2 James Grundy
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The question aims to provide reassurances to the constituents about prioritising serious cases in light of court backlogs.

Question

Will my hon. and learned Friend tell me what reassurance I can provide my constituents that the most serious cases are being prioritised, to ensure the protection of the public?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

Ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice, and that the public are protected, is a priority of the Attorney General's Office, of the CPS and of this Government. To achieve that, with the CPS working with the police, we introduced an interim charging protocol last year. The protocol prioritises the most important cases, and I am really pleased that those cases include high harm cases and those with vulnerable victims, such as rape and domestic abuse.

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Q3 Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The question focuses on the issue of delays caused by case backlogs affecting justice for victims of violence against women and girls.

Question

How can I reassure the people of Ashfield and Eastwood that victims of violence against women and girls will continue to receive justice in spite of delays caused by the backlog?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

As I have mentioned, I share my hon. Friend's view that it is vital that we continue to speedily prosecute those accused of violence against women and girls. I know that the Prime Minister shares that as a priority for our Government. We have put in place a number of measures to reduce the impact of delays on victims. Those include special measures allowing vulnerable victims and witnesses to pre-record their cross-examination ahead of the trial date, which were rolled out at all 82 of our Crown Courts by last November. That is just one of the measures we have taken to ensure the continued better operation of the system for our most vulnerable victims.

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Q4 Grahame Morris Lab Easington
Justice & Courts NHS
Context

The question addresses health and safety issues faced by court staff, including the possibility of strikes due to insufficient protective measures against COVID-19.

Question

Court staff in London and Liverpool recently voted for strike action, and listening to evidence from the Public and Commercial Services Union to the Justice Committee this week it is easy to understand why, when PCS members are having to improvise their own perspex screens to protect themselves from covid after managers said it was unaffordable. Does the Solicitor General appreciate how this cavalier approach to health and safety by management has left court staff scared, angry and prepared to take strike action?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

I appreciate the amazing work that everyone in our justice system is doing on the frontline. As a former Prisons Minister, I recognise what prison officers are doing and I know that HMCTS has done a tremendous amount of work to make our courts safe. I pay tribute to all the work of court staff who are going in and allowing our justice system to continue. HMCTS has put in a number of measures, and my understanding is that it is no less safe to be working in a court than in any other environment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific concerns about lack of protective equipment for staff are not directly addressed.

How: No Less Safe

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