Crown Court Backlog

11 Mar

Question

Crown Court Backlog

In this session on the Crown Court backlog, discussions predominantly centered around the existing bottleneck in the UK criminal justice system. The dialogue unfolded between representatives from different parties, with queries focused on strategies to alleviate the delays in judicial processes.

110,000 Crown court sitting days funded

A record number indicating proactive steps towards addressing backlog.

4,000 more sitting days than previous government

Reflecting increased governmental efforts under Shabana Mahmood's leadership.

Key Aspects Discussed:

Increased Court Sitting Days: Shabana Mahmood highlighted the Government's commitment by increasing Crown court sitting days to 110,000, surpassing previous records by 4,000 days.
Reform Initiatives: An independent review led by Sir Brian Leveson was launched to enhance court efficiency through potentially embracing technical reforms.
Historical Context: Mrs. Sarah Russell emphasized that systemic inefficiencies predate COVID-19, challenging the view that the pandemic solely caused the backlog. She remarked on the 17% decline in disposed cases from 2016 to 2022.
Technology and AI Utilization: There was a strong call for modernizing the court system via technology to expedite case outcomes, coupled with reform plans awaiting recommendations.
Impact on Law Enforcement: Alison Bennett addressed the on-ground realities in her constituency, voicing concerns over offenders exploiting judicial delays to commit more crimes.

17% reduction in disposed cases since 2016

Used to illustrate the chronic backlog issues beyond the pandemic.

Outcome

The debate underscored the need for immediate, multi-faceted interventions to address court backlog issues. Commitments included ongoing reform studies, increased resources, and leveraging technology to streamline judicial proceedings.

The session resulted in a clearer picture of governmental initiatives and highlighted cross-party concerns on judicial inefficiencies affecting public safety.

Key Contributions

Mrs Sarah Russell

Labour

Inquired about the Department's actions towards reducing Crown court backlog.

Shabana Mahmood

Outlined government strategy, noting additional 110,000 sitting days and reform initiatives.

Alison Bennett

Liberal Democrats

Raised concerns over offenders exploiting backlog delays to commit further crimes state.

Original Transcript

Mrs Sarah Russell

Congleton

Lab

Question

UIN: 903126

19. What steps her Department is taking to reduce the Crown court backlog.

Mrs Russell

12:16

In 2016, 120,000 cases were disposed of—concluded—in the Crown courts. That figure was never achieved again by the Conservative party, and by 2022 the figure was 17% lower. Conservative Members like to blame covid for everything, but there were problems in the system well before that.

There has been a systematic failure to modernise processes in our courts for years, as we on the Justice Committee hear far too often. What more can we do to use technology to make our courts more efficient and, most importantly, ensure faster outcomes for victims?

Shabana Mahmood

12:16

My hon. Friend is right to note the issue of falling disposals—in layman’s terms, the number of cases that are completed.

The rate of disposals has indeed fallen in recent years, which why I have asked Sir Brian Leveson, as part of his review, to consider how we improve the efficiency of our courts, including further technical or AI-related reform that might assist cases to move more quickly through the system.

We will need a three-pronged approach: more funding, which I have already delivered; once-in-a-generation reform, which Sir Brian Leveson is looking at; and going further and faster on productivity and efficiency in the system. That is how we will get swifter justice for victims.

Alison Bennett

Mid Sussex

12:17

The backlog in our criminal justice system means that offenders in my constituency are free to commit crime while waiting for the judicial process.

I met Sussex police and residents last week and heard how the backlogs are making the already hard job of the police even harder, and residents’ lives a misery.

How does the Secretary of State plan on tackling those backlogs, which are leading to offenders roaming free and more crimes being committed?

Shabana Mahmood

We are already tackling those issues, and as soon I came into office I increased the number of sitting days by 2,500 on what I inherited from the previous Administration. I have increased the sentencing powers of magistrates courts, and increased funding for legal aid.

Criminal legal aid underpins the whole system, and for the next financial year we are funding a record 110,000 Crown court sitting days.

That, combined with once-in-a-generation reform of the courts to deal with the demand coming into the system, and going further on productivity and efficiency, is how we will deal with the problems that the hon. Member rightly notes.

← Court Backlogs Topical Questions →

Terms Privacy Data Source

All content derived from official parliamentary records