Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Criminal Courts: Backlog

Tuesday 12 September 2023 · 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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister committed to reducing the backlog of criminal court cases through efficiency measures.
  • Disposals in Suffolk increased by 23% in the quarter ending March 2023, while case loads slightly decreased.
  • Minister met with JENGbA to discuss joint enterprise cases and the Crown Prosecution is reviewing data for potential injustices.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Aldous Con
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP asked about steps to address the backlog in criminal courts.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to reduce the backlog of criminal court cases?

Answer from Mike Freer

My hon. Friend raises an important point, and we remain committed to working with our partners across the criminal justice system to try to ensure that court processes are as efficient as possible. We have introduced a raft of measures including allowing courts for a third year in a row to sit for an unlimited number of days, with extended use of 24 Nightingale courtrooms. In addition, we have opened two permanent super-courtrooms in Manchester and Loughborough and are recruiting an additional 1,000 judges across all jurisdictions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps to clear backlog were not mentioned

How: We Remain Committed

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Q2 Peter Aldous Con
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP asked about the stubbornly high criminal court case backlog in Suffolk.

Question

In Suffolk, the backlog of criminal court cases remains stubbornly high. Can my hon. Friend produce a comprehensive and bespoke plan that first clears the backlog, and then sets out a long-term strategy for the efficient functioning of courts in the county?

Answer from Mike Freer

I can reassure my hon. Friend that disposals to March 2023 were up by 23% on the previous quarter, while outstanding case loads slightly reduced in the same period. We continue to work with the judiciary and local criminal justice board to ensure best practice is followed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plan or long-term strategy was not provided

How: We Continue To Work

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Q3 Barry Sheerman Lab
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP raised concerns about joint enterprise cases in the criminal justice system.

Question

Is the Minister aware of joint enterprise cases in criminal courts? Will he and the Justice team meet me and JENGbA to clear the justice system of people who should never have been in court?

Answer from Mike Freer

The hon. Gentleman has campaigned on this issue for some time, I met his colleague to discuss it. The Crown Prosecution is now doing an exercise on better data collection to see if there are any injustices and what action might be taken.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Promise to meet was not made

How: Data Collection

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Q4 Alex Cunningham Lab
Justice & Courts Employment
Context

The MP asked about security guards voting for strike action over pay offer.

Question

Now, 500 security guards have voted for strike action after a pay offer worth just 38p an hour above the minimum wage. Will the Minister intervene to stop further chaos in our courts?

Answer from Mike Freer

Our courts are not in chaos, all elements of the criminal justice system continue to work smoothly despite challenging circumstances. The pay award is a matter for the private sector employer; I will not intervene.

Not addressed: Intervention was not promised

How: Private Sector Employer

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