Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Justice System: Victim Confidence

Tuesday 17 March 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government plans to improve victim confidence in the justice system include a 550 million investment in victim support services over three years.
  • The Courts and Tribunals Bill aims to deliver faster and fairer justice to support victim confidence across the system.
  • Discussions with the Department of Justice and the Justice Minister in Northern Ireland are ongoing to address delays and improve the court system.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jas Athwal Lab Ilford South
Justice & Courts
Context

The question arises from ongoing issues with victims' lack of confidence in the prosecution system and their experiences of trauma during legal proceedings.

Question

What plans does the Government have to help improve victim confidence in the justice system?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

We are putting victims first with a record £550 million investment in victim support services over the next three years. Our measures in the Courts and Tribunals Bill aim to deliver faster, fairer justice to improve victim confidence across the whole system. We are also consulting on a new victims code so that victims know exactly what they can expect from the justice system.

Answered
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Q2 Jas Athwal Lab Ilford South
Justice & Courts
Context

The question follows from the government's recent efforts to improve victims' experiences, including expanding Operation Soteria principles and introducing a national independent legal adviser service.

Question

I welcome the Government's recent efforts to improve victims' experiences in the courtroom. However, many victims still lack confidence in the prosecution system due to further trauma during proceedings. What steps are being taken to ensure victims feel supported throughout their cases?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

I thank my hon. Friend for that important question. I hope that I can also respond to the comments made by the Father of the House in the previous question; I, too, want to pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington North (Charlotte Nichols) for her brave testimony in the debate last week. It is exactly those experiences that this Government are improving by introducing Operation Soteria in our courtrooms, expanding the use of specialist measures, introducing independent legal advisers and consulting on a new victims code.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answerer did not directly address how to ensure victims feel supported throughout their cases and avoid further trauma.

How: We Are Improving By Introducing Operation Soteria In Our Courtrooms, Expanding The Use Of Specialist Measures, Introducing Independent Legal Advisers And Consulting On A New Victims Code.

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Q3 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Justice & Courts Northern Ireland
Context

The question arises from concerns over delays and prevarications in the court system of Northern Ireland, which are causing victims to lose confidence.

Question

Will the Minister have discussions with the Department of Justice and the Justice Minister in Northern Ireland to ensure that victims are not experiencing delays and prevarications in the court system?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

May I take the opportunity to wish the hon. Member a happy St Patrick's day today? I recently had the pleasure of visiting the island of Ireland and met the Irish Justice Minister, but we have regular conversations with our Northern Ireland counterparts as well to discuss how we can improve the system for victims as a whole.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific plans or commitments for discussions with Northern Ireland counterparts specifically about improving victim support systems.

How: We Have Regular Conversations With Our Northern Ireland Counterparts

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