Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Court Cases: Backlog

Tuesday 10 December 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

  • Rebecca Smith inquired about the impact of the backlog of court cases on victims of crime, highlighting issues at Truro Crown court.
  • The Government have increased court sitting dates by 500 days and introduced measures to fast-track rape cases and support victims.
  • Shaun Davies noted a decline in magistrates and highlighted lengthy waiting times for victims of sexual offences in Telford and Shropshire.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rebecca Smith Con South West Devon
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP is concerned about the backlog of court cases affecting victims in her constituency, particularly highlighting issues at Truro Crown Court.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of the backlog of court cases on victims of crime? Recently, Truro Crown court has had to shut one day a week due to budget cuts and reduced sitting days. Some cases have already been postponed until late 2025, leading some victims to consider withdrawing their cases. Given that justice delayed is justice denied, what additional steps are being taken to support victims in continuing with their cases across Devon and Cornwall?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

Bearing down on the outstanding caseload in the Crown court and bringing down waiting times is a priority for the Government. We want to ensure that every victim has swift access to justice. The Government have committed to working with the judiciary to fast-track rape cases, increased the number of court sitting dates by 500 days this year, introduced independent legal advocates to advise rape victims from report to trial to keep them in the system and supported.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific steps for supporting victims facing delays due to court backlogs beyond general commitments.

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Q2 Rebecca Smith Con South West Devon
Justice & Courts Mental Health
Context

The MP is concerned about the closure of a day at Truro Crown Court due to budget cuts, causing delays in court cases that may prompt victims to withdraw their cases.

Question

Recently, Truro Crown court has been forced to shut one day a week due to recent budget cuts and judicial sitting day reductions. Some cases have already been postponed until late 2025, including lengthy cases involving victims of violence, prompting those victims to consider withdrawing their cases. Given the maxim justice delayed is justice denied, what additional steps are being taken to support victims to continue with their cases across Devon and Cornwall?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

The Government have increased the number of court sitting dates by 500 days this year, agreed to increase capacity in magistrates courts for quicker case resolution, and are introducing independent legal advocates from report to trial. These steps aim to ensure victims stay supported and feel they can go through with their cases.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific measures addressing the immediate concerns of court closures impacting victims' willingness to continue their cases.

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Q3 Shaun Davies Lab Telford
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP is concerned about the reduction in magistrates numbers in Telford and Shropshire, with court sessions unused. Victims are waiting an average of 18 months at the Crown court for their cases to be heard.

Question

In the last five years, the number of magistrates covering Telford and wider Shropshire fell from 91 to 76. In 2022, 50% of the court sessions went unused. At the Crown court, victims are waiting an average of 18 months, with some sexual offences taking up to three years to be dealt with. Telford voted for change. Will the Minister ensure that victims of crime get justice and that criminals are punished?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

The steps outlined by the Minister with responsibility for courts aim at increasing sentencing capacity in our courts. The budgetary situation is tight due to an inherited financial position, but fiscally responsible decisions will be made to ensure victims of crime receive justice and criminals are punished.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific actions or timelines addressing the immediate court delays and support for victims.

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