Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Access to Justice

Wednesday 1 February 2023 · 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

  • The CPS has published findings from independent research and is implementing changes to better support victims of crime.
  • The Attorney General and the Minister are working with the Ministry of Justice to address case delays, with the most recent figures showing an average of 171 days.
  • The CPS has launched a new online guide for victims to help them navigate the criminal justice system.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mick Whitley
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The MP is assessing the effectiveness of the CPS in ensuring access to justice for crime victims.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the Crown Prosecution Service in ensuring access to justice for victims of crime?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

All victims of crime deserve the right support, and the CPS has published the findings of independent research and is implementing changes based on that to deliver what victims need. There is new and innovative victim communication for half of CPS areas.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific assessment or evaluation of effectiveness

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Q2 Mick Whitley
Justice & Courts
Context

As of September 2022, over 17,300 Crown court cases had been outstanding for a year or more.

Question

Justice delayed is justice denied. What does the Attorney General have to say to victims whose lives are on hold due to delays in bringing their cases to court?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

The hon. Gentleman raises an important point, and the Attorney General and I are working closely with the Ministry of Justice. There has been good progress in terms of the CPS and the time it takes for cases to be heard. The most recent figures show that on average it is 171 days.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the impact of delays on victims or provide a statement from the Attorney General

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Q3 Flick Drummond Con
Justice & Courts
Context

Victims navigate the criminal justice system with limited resources and information.

Question

What is the CPS doing to inform and support people to navigate the criminal justice system?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

The CPS has launched a new online guide for victims, ensuring that they have access to necessary information. Accessible information is key to supporting victims and ensuring navigation of the criminal justice system.

Answered
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Q4 Karl Turner Ind Kingston upon Hull East
Justice & Courts Employment
Context

There is a disparity between criminal defence and prosecution barristers' pay, affecting cases.

Question

What will the Solicitor General do to address the disparity in barrister pay and put victims first?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

We are putting victims first, and indeed we are doing so. The Treasury has agreed to consider CPS funding following the publication of a criminal legal aid independent review. Discussions on fees and funding continue, aiming to prioritize victims and ensure cases progress quickly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific plan or commitment to address pay disparities

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Q5 Jonathan Gullis
Policing & Resources Parliamentary Procedure
Context

A tragic case involving Sharlotte-Sky's mother Claire, who waited over a year for answers from blood tests.

Question

What engagement has the Solicitor General had with the Department for Transport about its review to speed up answers for police and victims?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

I pay tribute to my hon. Friend who brought an Adjournment debate concerning the unduly lenient sentence scheme. I am determined to work closely across Government, and I know that my hon. Friend will continue his campaign to pursue this.

Not addressed: Did not address engagement with Department for Transport or speeding up blood test results

How: Changed Subject

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