Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Criminal Justice System: Progress of Cases

Tuesday 10 September 2024 · 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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister committed to reducing time for criminal cases to be heard by planning to sit over 105,000 working days in the Crown court this financial year.
  • Government supports Metropolitan police and Crown Prosecution Service in completing Grenfell inquiry investigations, considering technology to address delays.
  • Minister works with Criminal Bar Association to recruit and retain sufficient numbers of barristers at the criminal Bar.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP is concerned about the long delays in criminal cases being heard at court.

Question

What steps she is taking to help reduce the time taken for criminal cases to be heard at court.

Answer from Heidi Alexander

We are committed to ensuring the swift delivery of justice for victims at all stages of the criminal justice system. We plan to sit more than 105,000 working days in the Crown court this financial year and continue hearing cases at Nightingale courts. Other measures will be considered to speed up justice.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or timeline for reducing delays were not provided

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Q2 Paul Kohler Lib Dem Wimbledon
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The MP is concerned about the long delays in making a decision on whether to prosecute those involved in the Grenfell tragedy.

Question

After waiting seven years for the Grenfell inquiry to report, the bereaved families and survivors have now been told that they must wait two or possibly three years for a decision on whether and whom to prosecute. Can the Minister tell me what is being done to address these delays and whether things such as artificial intelligence are being contemplated?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

The Government fully support the Metropolitan police and Crown Prosecution Service completing their investigations. All forms of technology will be considered as part of that process.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or timeline for reducing delays were not provided

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Q3 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP is concerned about the shortage of barristers in criminal cases.

Question

How will the Minister address the shortage at the criminal Bar?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

We are working with the profession, including the Criminal Bar Association chair Mary Prior, to ensure recruitment and retention of sufficient numbers of barristers at the criminal Bar.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or timeline for addressing shortages were not provided

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Q4 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The MP is concerned about the delays in legal cases inherited from previous administrations and the slow response of the Crown Prosecution Service.

Question

Will the Minister urge the CPS to respond faster?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

I will take that away and do that.

Not addressed: No specific commitment or timeline provided

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Q5 Douglas McAllister Lab West Dunbartonshire
Justice & Courts Taxation
Context

The MP is concerned about the decline in legal aid funding and its impact on access to justice.

Question

Does the Minister agree that a properly funded legal aid scheme both here and in Scotland is essential for access to justice, and that the decline in this vital public service is disgraceful?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

We are experiencing the long-term effects of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 which has caused challenges in both civil and criminal legal aid sectors. This is crucial for access to justice.

Not addressed: No specific commitment or timeline provided

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