Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

National Listing Framework

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 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Listing decisions are a matter for the judiciary, and the Lady Chief Justice will publish a new national listing framework with government support.
  • The Government is piloting digital and AI-enabled tools to support listing, aimed at improving the handling of rape and serious sexual offences.
  • Issues related to the measures discussed for England and Wales are devolved to Northern Ireland, but best practice is communicated between regions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Pam Cox Lab Colchester
Justice & Courts
Context

Listing practices vary between courts, creating inconsistencies and a 'postcode lottery' for victims of crimes. The government is expected to address this issue through a new national listing framework.

Question

What progress has been made on creating a national listing framework?

Answer from David Lammy

Listing decisions are rightly a matter for the judiciary. We know that listing practices can vary between courts, creating what many victims see as a postcode lottery, so I am pleased that the Lady Chief Justice, with the support of this Government, will publish a new national listing framework to clarify the listing process, set consistent principles and help deliver swifter justice for victims.

Answered
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Q2 Pam Cox Lab Colchester
Justice & Courts
Context

The government has promised to bring perpetrators of rape and serious sexual offences to swift justice. There is a need to ensure that the listing framework supports this commitment.

Question

How will the new listing framework help to fast-track prosecutions for rape and serious sexual offences? What other measures is the Secretary of State introducing or supporting to that end?

Answer from David Lammy

My hon. Friend will have heard that we are also piloting new digital and AI-enabled tools to support listing, helping the judiciary to make better use of data. I hope she will have seen that the reforms we are introducing under the Courts and Tribunals Bill include introducing independent legal advisers and expanding the principles of Operation Soteria into the courtroom, making sure that victims have the protection and support they deserve throughout the justice system. The Bill also introduces crucial reforms to ensure that rape victims are no longer unfairly undermined by evidence at court that relies on myths and misconceptions.

Answered
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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Policing & Resources Justice & Courts Northern Ireland
Context

There is an expectation that improvements in the justice system should be shared across the UK, including with devolved administrations like Northern Ireland.

Question

Could the measures discussed for England and Wales be put to the Policing and Justice Minister in Northern Ireland so as to improve their system?

Answer from David Lammy

These issues are devolved to Northern Ireland, but we are in touch and communicate best practice, as the hon. Member would expect.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures being shared or implemented in Northern Ireland

How: These Issues Are Devolved

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