Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Court Backlog and Pre-trial Waiting Times

Tuesday 8 July 2025 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • John Milne raised a case in Horsham about a constituent waiting for a domestic abuse trial that was canceled due to an administrative error.
  • Katie White expressed concern about crime patterns affecting small businesses in Leeds North West, including burglaries and vandalism.
  • The Minister acknowledged the impact of the Crown courts backlog on both domestic abuse victims and small businesses.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Milne Lib Dem Horsham
Justice & Courts
Context

A constituent of John Milne is facing a significant delay in her trial for domestic abuse charges, suffering emotional distress and financial losses due to the administrative error that postponed her trial by a year.

Question

In my constituency of Horsham, I have been asked to support a woman left in limbo regarding the trial of her ex-partner on a domestic abuse charge. When she was finally given a date, the trial was pulled as a result of an administrative error as she sat waiting in the courtroom. A new date was set for a whole year later. She suffered emotional distress and had to take time off work, which cost her £500. She installed CCTV at her own expense and endured months of further intimidation. Will the Minister undertake to set clear guidelines about maximum waiting times for trials to solve the problem now and in the future?

Answer from Sarah Sackman

I am terribly sorry to hear about the case of the hon. Member’s constituent, which exemplifies exactly why we are so determined to grip the backlog in our Crown courts. That is also why we have asked Sir Brian Leveson to recommend a once-in-a-generation reform to deliver swifter justice for victims such as the hon. Member’s constituent. Ultimately, getting the backlog down so that we can look her in the eyes and say, “We can deliver swifter justice,” will make the real difference.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Setting clear guidelines about maximum waiting times for trials

How: Asked Sir Brian Leveson To Recommend A Once-In-A-Generation Reform

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Q2 Katie White Lab Leeds North West
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

A pattern of crime on high streets in Leeds North West has left small business owners feeling unsafe, exacerbated by the significant court backlog that undermines confidence in the justice system.

Question

I work closely with fantastic local businesses across Leeds North West, and I know they already have a lot to contend with, so I am concerned to see a pattern of crime on our high streets, from burglaries to other forms of vandalism, that leaves owners in Horsforth and Adel feeling unsafe. At the same time, like most hon. Members, I am very aware that the Government have inherited a significant backlog that undermines the sense that justice will be served. How does the Minister plan to address that so the individuals responsible are dealt with and small business owners know that we are on their side?

Answer from Sarah Sackman

My hon. Friend raises an important point. The impact of the Crown courts backlog is being felt by domestic abuse victims and small businesses, so we have a real job to do to restore confidence in our criminal justice system. That is why we gripped the crisis by putting in place an extra 110,000 Crown court sitting days—a record number. We understand, however, that we will need fundamental reform to address the backlog, and that is what we have asked Sir Brian Leveson to look at.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Addressing the court backlog affecting small businesses

How: We Have Put In Place An Extra 110,000 Crown Court Sitting Days, Asked Sir Brian Leveson To Look At Fundamental Reform

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