Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Court Cases Backlog

Tuesday 22 March 2022 · 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 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial sympathy for those affected by court backlogs and commitment to increase court capacity and funding.
  • Government committed 477 million to address court capacity issues and plans to visit the Black Country to discuss regional allocation.
  • Backlogs in Crown courts reduced from approximately 61,000 to 59,000 cases, with magistrates' courts near pre-pandemic levels.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Justice & Courts
Context

The Public Accounts Committee reported a 400% increase in rape and sexual assault case backlogs during the first year of the pandemic.

Question

What steps are being taken to help reduce the backlog of court cases, especially regarding delays in rape and sexual assault cases which were already over 18 months pre-pandemic?

Answer from James Cartlidge

We sympathise with those whose cases are backlogged and aim to increase capacity across all our courts. Investment in independent sexual violence advisers will increase to £185 million by the end of the spending review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about supporting greater investment was acknowledged but not directly committed to with a clear pledge or timeline.

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Q2 Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Justice & Courts
Context

There is a significant regional issue in the Black Country with court backlogs.

Question

Will the Minister assure constituents in the Black Country that the £477 million committed by the Government will be regionally allocated and operationalised, perhaps by visiting the Black Country?

Answer from James Cartlidge

The Minister is delighted to visit but emphasizes that the biggest Crown court in the Midlands is Birmingham's and that variations exist, focusing on wider capacity across the country with key measures including increased magistrates' sentencing powers, £477 million funding, and Nightingale courts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about regional approach was acknowledged but not directly committed to with a clear pledge or timeline.

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Q3 Shaun Bailey
Justice & Courts
Context

Sheffield magistrates court roof collapsed, delaying cases. Toilet water leaked into a courtroom at Maidstone Crown court.

Question

How many cases have been delayed in total over the past five years due to crumbling courts that the Government failed to fix?

Answer from James Cartlidge

The Minister will write with details and highlights measures such as legislation to increase magistrates' sentencing powers, £477 million funding, increased judicial capacity, recruitment campaigns, and volunteer judiciary expressions of interest over 20,000.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for data on case delays was not directly addressed but acknowledged with a promise to write back later.

How: Will Write To Him

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Q4 Steve Reed Labour (Co-op) Streatham and Croydon North
Justice & Courts
Context

Aylesbury Crown court reopened first post-COVID, thanks to Judge Francis Sheridan stepping down.

Question

Will the Minister join me in paying tribute to all court staff in Aylesbury for progress in clearing backlogs, and thank Judge Sheridan for innovation focusing on victims?

Answer from James Cartlidge

The Minister pays tribute to the judiciary, including independent judges, and highlights their role during the pandemic in maintaining justice. The Minister also acknowledges his former magistrate experience regarding probation issues.

Not addressed: The specific ask for joint tribute was not addressed directly but instead the response shifted to a general tribute without specifying Aylesbury.

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Q5 Rob Butler
Justice & Courts
Context

The number of rape and sexual assault cases has increased significantly post-pandemic.

Question

What steps are being taken to increase court capacity, reduce backlogs, and improve waiting times for those who use our courts?

Answer from James Cartlidge

We are expanding physical capacity, introducing new legislation, and ramping up judicial recruitment. The backlog in Crown courts has reduced from approximately 61,000 to 59,000 cases; in magistrates' courts, the case load is close to pre-pandemic levels.

Answered
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