Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Court Backlog

Tuesday 10 September 2024 · 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

  • The Government are committed to reducing caseloads and bringing waiting times down.
  • There are currently no plans to reopen Hartlepool magistrates court.
  • The Minister is happy to discuss local justice reviews with Steve Darling, possibly alongside looking at the court in Chorley.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steve Darling Lib Dem Torbay
Justice & Courts
Context

The question arises from the growing backlog of cases across various jurisdictions, affecting court users' experience and efficiency.

Question

What assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the backlog of cases in courts?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

The Government are committed to reducing caseloads and bringing waiting times down. 18 Nightingale courtrooms remain open, and we plan to sit more than 105,000 days in the Crown court and more than 102,000 days in the family court this financial year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific implications for her policies are not addressed with concrete details or commitments.

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Q2 Jonathan Brash Lab Hartlepool
Justice & Courts
Context

Hartlepool's court building has been closed since 2017, mothballed by the previous government. The question aims to explore the potential for reopening the court and increasing capacity.

Question

Will my hon. Friend investigate the potential for reopening Hartlepool's court as part of our efforts to expand capacity and clear the backlog?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

There are currently no plans to reopen Hartlepool magistrates court, but I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend alongside officials from HMCTS to discuss his concerns.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific investigation requested is not committed to, and the reason for non-reopening is provided without addressing reopening plans directly.

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Q3 Steve Darling Lib Dem Torbay
Justice & Courts
Context

Torquay magistrates court closed in the last decade, causing local justice issues for residents.

Question

Can the Minister assure the House that there will be some reviews to ensure that justice is served more locally to our communities?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

I am happy to discuss that matter with him, possibly alongside looking at the court in Chorley.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific review requested is not committed to directly, and no concrete timeline or mechanism for local justice reviews is provided.

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