Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Court Backlog

Tuesday 3 February 2026 · 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

  • Minister committed to publishing modelling and evidence base on reducing jury trials and its impact on court delays.
  • Minister acknowledged a constituent's case illustrating the trauma caused by delays in court cases due to mental health assessments and barrister availability issues.
  • Minister agreed to meet to discuss cases where repeated adjournments risk denying justice to victims of domestic abuse.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andy McDonald Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Justice & Courts
Context

The Minister was previously asked about the evidence supporting court reforms, but did not provide details. The Bar Council and Criminal Bar Association assert there is no proof that reducing jury trials would reduce delays.

Question

I am concerned about the steps my right hon. Friend has taken to tackle backlogs in courts. Previously, she was asked whether her Ministry conducted modelling on how much reducing jury trials would impact court delays. The Bar Council and Criminal Bar Association have stated there is no evidence that limiting jury trials will reduce court delays meaningfully. Can she publish the evidence on which these reforms are based? And why were no pilot schemes undertaken?

Answer from The Minister for Courts and Legal Services (Sarah Sackman)

As I have told the House repeatedly, we will publish the modelling and evidence base in the usual way alongside the Bill’s introduction. However, it is simply incorrect to say there is no evidence that adjusting the threshold will reduce court delays; we have the evidence base of the independent review, as well as international comparators to show that decisive action will reduce the court delays.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Publication details and pilot scheme implementation timelines not provided

How: We Are Committed

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Q2 Danny Beales Lab Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Justice & Courts Mental Health
Context

A constituent's daughter experienced multiple delays in court proceedings due to mental health assessments, barrister leave, and staff availability issues. This led to repeated re-traumatisation for the victim.

Question

I was recently contacted by a constituent whose daughter was a victim of an abusive relationship lasting several years. There were continual delays in her case coming to court and again at sentencing, including a five-month delay due to mental health assessments being delayed, as well as barrister annual leave and other issues with staff availability. That led to repeated cancellations of sentencing dates. What steps is the Minister taking to address these preventable issues that cause delays and additional trauma for victims like my constituent?

Answer from The Minister for Courts and Legal Services (Sarah Sackman)

I thank my hon. Friend for raising that case; it is a graphic illustration of the crisis we are grappling with and the impact it has. Those delays cause trauma, making it impossible for victims to move on with their lives. We have over 1,000 trials cancelled last year due to barrister availability illustrating one problem highlighted by the Institute for Government. That is why we are investing in our workforce, including an increase in legal aid for solicitors and barristers and match funding for pupillages.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions addressing delays not detailed

How: We Are Committed

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Q3 Matt Bishop Lab Forest of Dean
Justice & Courts
Context

A constituent has seen her case relisted multiple times since 2023 due to medical claims by the defendant and repeated adjournments. This raises concerns about justice being denied to victims.

Question

My constituent, a victim of domestic abuse, has seen her case listed and relisted multiple times since 2023 with delays granted due to medical claims by the defendant. Does the Minister accept that repeated adjournments risk denying justice to victims? Will she meet me to discuss how cases like that can be progressed without further re-traumatisation?

Answer from The Minister for Courts and Legal Services (Sarah Sackman)

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising that case, and I would of course be happy to meet him. Again, it is a graphic illustration of the ways in which delays in the process are re-traumatising victims, which is why we must do everything in our power to bring down the delays—whether that is investment, modernisation or structural reform.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions addressing delays not detailed

How: We Are Committed

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