Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Sexual Offences: Delays to Trials

Tuesday 5 July 2022 · 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

  • Minister acknowledges a backlog of cases for sexual offences before the pandemic, though lower than under Labour government.
  • Nadia Whittome highlighted an average delay of 470 days for rape cases in Nottinghamshire from arrival at Crown court to completion.
  • Minister confirmed investment of nearly half a billion pounds to fund increased sitting days in Crown courts to reduce backlog.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Nadia Whittome Lab Nottingham East
Justice & Courts
Context

In Nottinghamshire, last year the average time between a case arriving at the Crown court and being completed for rape cases was 470 days. The Victims' Commissioner attributes the backlog growth before the pandemic to underinvestment.

Question

I am concerned about delays in trials for child and adult victims of sexual offences, especially in Nottinghamshire where rape cases took an average of 470 days from arrival at Crown court to completion last year. I welcome the pilot of specialist courts but this does not address the root causes of the backlog growing before the pandemic due to underinvestment. When will these cuts be reversed to ensure everyone receives justice?

Answer from James Cartlidge

I acknowledge that there was a backlog before the pandemic, but it was lower than when Labour was in power. The courts collapsed due to social distancing measures during the pandemic. We have invested almost half a billion pounds in funding, removing ceilings on sitting days in Crown court this year and aiming to continue reducing the backlog for better justice.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify when funding cuts would be reversed or how they will ensure everyone receives justice

How: Pointing Out That Backlog Was Lower Under Labour, Referencing Pandemic As Cause

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Q2 Nadia Whittome Lab Nottingham East
Justice & Courts
Context

In Nottinghamshire, last year the average time between a case arriving at Crown court and being completed for rape cases was 470 days. The Victims' Commissioner attributes the backlog growth before the pandemic to underinvestment.

Question

I thank the Minister for his reply. In Nottinghamshire last year, for cases involving rape the average time between a case arriving at the Crown court and being completed was 470 days—more than a year and three months. I am sure he agrees that this is completely unacceptable. The pilot of specialist courts to prosecute rape cases in just three areas will not tackle the root causes of the backlog, which grew long before the pandemic due to underinvestment. When will the Minister reverse these cuts and ensure everyone receives justice?

Answer from James Cartlidge

I confirm that we put in almost half a billion pounds of funding into the spending review. This ensures that for the second year on the trot, we are removing the ceiling on sitting days in the Crown court. Provided we reduce the disruption now, we should continue to reduce the backlog and deliver swifter justice.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify when funding cuts would be reversed or how they will ensure everyone receives justice

How: Referencing Pandemic As Cause

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Q3 Afzal Khan Lab Manchester Rusholme
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The Lord Chancellor claims protecting women and girls is his No.1 priority, yet victims face invasive legal aid applications that turn many away. The recent means test review is a step in the right direction but still does not address the issue fully.

Question

I am concerned about invasive legal aid application processes for victims of domestic abuse that deter many from seeking help. While the recent means test review is positive, it does not go far enough and leaves vulnerable women representing themselves in court. What steps are being taken to increase legal aid accessibility?

Answer from James Cartlidge

Our consultation on the means test threshold would result in 2 million more people having access to legal aid in civil cases, including those affected by domestic abuse. We propose removing property assets from dispute considerations in relation to the capital test for civil legal aid. This highlights significant investment and positive reform.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or timeline for increasing accessibility of legal aid

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