Key Facts

• John Hayes is the chairman of the Public Bill Committee.
• The Committee will hear oral evidence from witnesses according to a scheduled timetable on Wednesday, 25 March.
• Sir Brian Leveson is introduced as the first witness and will testify until 9:55 am.
• Sir Brian Leveson is aware of Liverpool’s court system and its unique characteristics.
• He recommends creating a criminal justice adviser to coordinate work among agencies in other parts of the country.
• The report suggests that more detailed modelling by the Ministry of Justice will be needed, which was partially undertaken but rejected by Sir Brian.
• Judges are facing delays of up to 2028-2029 for trials.
• Defendants are gaming the system, delaying guilty pleas until convenient dates.
• A permission test for appeals from magistrates' courts is proposed as a proportionate and fair response to current needs.
• John Hayes aims to include more Committee members in the questioning process.
• Witnesses introduced are Claire Waxman, Professor Katrin Hohl, and Dame Vera Baird.
• Cases are now going well into 2030 due to delays.
• Justice delayed means lack of security, safety, and closure for victims.
• A letter signed by 18 victim survivors was sent last week opposing long waits for justice.
• Victim attrition has increased by more than 5% in the past five years.
• On average, 40% of victims withdraw from the system in London due to delays.
• Victims are waiting years to give evidence in court.
• Training for judges on rape cases has been reduced from three days to two days.
• A male victim of child sex abuse has been in the system since 2021 with adjournments extended until 2029.
• Claire Waxman expresses concern about the overburdened state of the Crown court.
• Vera Baird discusses the need for structural reforms in the justice system, particularly regarding jury trials and their impact on victims' rights.
• Charlotte Nichols waited 1,088 days to get her case heard before being acquitted; she later won compensation in a civil court judge trial.
• The proposed reforms are seen as creating operational disruption and prolonging uncertainty for victims.
• A letter signed by 18 victims is mentioned, focusing on the impact of reforms on defendants who are women.
• Charlotte's testimony is referenced regarding the use of victim voices to advocate for reforms.
• Over 90% of domestic abuse cases are already heard in magistrates' courts.
• The Bill does not affect indictable-only offences such as rape and sexual assault.
• Victims feel that cross-examination can be brutal and undermines their credibility.
• The majority of rape defendants are not in custody, leading to long trial wait times.
• About 64% of people who elect for a trial plead guilty before reaching the trial stage.
• The Institute for Government has corrected its figures from 2% up to around 9% or higher.
• Victims experienced significant delays of up to 1,317 days between report and court.
• Delays led to severe emotional distress, suffering, and anxiety for victims.
• Recording of magistrates courts is a proposed measure to increase transparency.
• Victims often feel that perpetrators have more control over court proceedings than they do.
• There is a lack of transparency in the court system, particularly regarding recording and access to transcripts.
• Family court processes are currently out of scope for the Courts and Tribunals Bill.
• John Hayes acknowledges the shock experienced by victims due to high costs of court transcripts.
• The Government has moved to make sentencing remarks available from spring next year.
• There is an amendment going to the House of Commons today about bail decisions and jury deliberations.
• Only 2% of Rape Assessment and Safeguarding Offender (RASSO) cases receive a guilty verdict.
• Victims' sentencing remarks are now available for all victims, not just rape victims.
• The Bill aims to remove the defendant’s right to elect trial types, empowering victims.
• There is a call for dedicated time slots for rape trials to prevent them from becoming 'floating trials.'
• Victims may face re-traumatisation if they have to give evidence again at a Crown court appeal.
• Changing the system strengthens the credibility of magistrates courts, making them the final decision-makers unless new evidence emerges.
• There is no right for victims to appeal in cases where there was a not guilty verdict.
• Witnesses provided evidence on the impact of court adjournments and floating cases on victims.
• The session concluded with a thank you from John Hayes to the panel for their contributions.
• The Committee is scheduled to meet again at 2 pm in the Boothroyd Room.