Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Criminal Court Backlogs

Tuesday 16 May 2023 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sarah Champion questioned the Minister about steps to tackle court backlogs, noting 1,454 outstanding cases at Preston Crown Court by the end of December 2022.
  • Mark Hendrick inquired if it is acceptable for victims of rape and sexual abuse to wait years for a trial, highlighting a constituent's five-year wait.
  • Desmond Swayne asked if lessons could be learned from Rwanda's Gacaca courts regarding handling backlogs and justice delivery.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Champion Lab Rotherham
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP noted court backlogs are affecting cases at Preston Crown Court, which had an outstanding case load of 1,454 as of December 2022.

Question

What steps he is taking to tackle court backlogs. The outstanding case load at Preston Crown court stood at 1,454 cases at the end of December 2022. I am concerned about the delays in our criminal justice system and their impact on waiting times for those who use our courts.

Answer from Mike Freer

We have ramped up additional capacity, recently announced the continued use of 24 Nightingale courtrooms in this financial year, and are investing a significant amount of funding in the criminal justice system. We have increased the judiciary across all our courts by 10% in the last five years, recruiting more than 1,000 judges this year and planning to recruit another 1,000 next year.

Answered
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Q2 Mark Hendrick Labour (Co-op) Preston
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP highlighted that victims of rape, sexual abuse, and violent crime face years of delay in their fight for justice due to the backlog of court cases.

Question

Does the Secretary of State believe it is acceptable for victims of rape and sexual abuse to wait years for a trial? The emotional burden of delays has led to victims dropping out of the process. A constituent from Preston has been waiting five years for her case to proceed. Does the Secretary of State believe this is an acceptable state?

Answer from Mike Freer

The Department is working with the judiciary to bring vulnerable cases forward as fast as possible. If hon. Members write to me on specific cases, I can find out why they have been delayed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions or timeline for addressing delays in rape and sexual abuse cases

How: Will Do My Best

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Q3 Sarah Champion Lab Rotherham
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP mentioned that the Government are likely to miss their targets on reducing Crown court backlogs, with wait times for rape and sexual assault cases at an all-time high.

Question

What exactly will the Minister do today to address the trauma caused by long waits in courts? Rotherham families have been waiting years for access to court for corporate manslaughter cases. What specific actions are being taken?

Answer from Mike Freer

We are increasing the judiciary across all our courts by 10% in the last five years, recruiting more than 1,000 judges this year and will recruit another 1,000 next year. We have taken the cap off sitting days and continue to use Nightingale courts.

Answered
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Q4 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP inquired about whether the UK could learn from Rwanda's Gacaca courts.

Question

Might we learn from the experience of Rwanda's Gacaca courts? The question is seeking information on potential lessons to be learned from Rwandan courts regarding handling backlogs and justice delivery.

Answer from Mike Freer

If my right hon. Friend writes to me on the details of that particular court, I will see if there are any lessons we can learn from our Rwandan colleagues.

Not addressed: Redirected question to writing a letter for further inquiry rather than providing an immediate answer.

How: Write To Me On Details

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Q5 Siobhan Baillie
Parliamentary Procedure Children & Families
Context

The MP welcomed the Department's decision to refer financial remedy reform to the Law Commission but noted that substantial delays are causing issues for thousands of families.

Question

Will the Ministry of Justice ensure representation at a meeting regarding family law reforms? The event is scheduled in the House of Lords next month with Mr Justice Mostyn and Baroness Shackleton. Will an official or Minister attend?

Answer from Mike Freer

I guarantee that either a senior official or a Minister will attend the meeting.

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Q6 Alex Cunningham Lab
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP highlighted that contrary to claims, Crown court cases increased by 6% on the previous year in February.

Question

What new rhetoric does the Minister have today? The data shows delays are not coming down anytime soon. Please provide facts rather than rhetoric about reducing the backlog.

Answer from Mike Freer

The outstanding case load is being addressed with increased judiciary recruitment, Nightingale courts usage, and other practical measures. We have recruited more than 1,000 judges this year and will recruit another 1,000 next year.

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