Government’s ‘speedier justice’ pledge left in tatters as almost two-thirds of courts lie empty
ALMOST two thirds of Britain’s courts were sitting empty last week, it has been claimed.
The Criminal Bar Association say, at one point, just 242 out of 727 courtrooms were in use - making a mockery of a Government boast that they are delivering “speedier justice”.
Their report also found that one sat for just ten minutes, while another was open for half an hour, passing only one sentence before adjourning for the day.
The claims come amid a backlog of 550,000 cases in our legal system, which includes 41,000 in the Crown Court. This is growing by 40 cases a day.
Yesterday the Ministry of Justice disputed the figures saying that 90 per-cent of court buildings were open and that 57 are now hearing jury trials.
They also say the number of outstanding crown court cases reached a 10-year low last year.
But the CBA said they remained “deeply concerned” at the crisis, saying: “Justice is not being served. The way the Government is handling this crisis in our courts is pathetic.”
Our investigation today lays bare how the Government’s response to relieving the impact on our courts caused by Covid-19 is in chaos.
And this month and next, some courts — including the High Court and the Court of Appeal — are set to CLOSE for the summer.
Reports also say child offenders are facing such long delays that they are likely to turn 18 by the time they face justice.
Many high-profile cases are being delayed, heaping misery on victims and their families.
The trial of police officer Benjamin Monk, accused of murdering former Aston Villa footballer Dalian Atkinson, has been relisted for next year.
Old court buildings make social distancing modifications difficult.
And because trials require large numbers of people in a small space, thousands have simply been put on hold.
Since May, only 250 Crown Court trials in England and Wales have been completed.
The judiciary would expect to get through 250 a week. Last week, courts across the country were sitting empty.
According to the CBA study:
- Just 36 trials were happening in England and Wales on Monday
- At Stafford Combined Court last week court four opened at 3pm then adjourned at 3.10pm
- In Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan, a court sat from 2.30pm, passing one sentence
- Three courts — in Burnley; Newport, on the Isle of Wight; and Sailsbury, Wilts — didn’t open at all
Some of the biggest courts in the country are nowhere near full:
- Snaresbrook, London — eight of 20 courtrooms in use;
- Birmingham — eight of 17
- Old Bailey — eight of 18
- Inner London — four of ten
- Kingston upon Thames — five of 12
- Preston — five of 12
The Sun on Sunday says
BRITAIN is famed around the world for its system of justice.
So it is a scandal that only a third of our courts are open, despite a huge backlog of 550,000 cases.
Many high-profile trials are being postponed, increasing the misery of innocent victims of crimes.
Covid has undoubtedly wreaked havoc but the legal saying that “justice delayed is justice denied” is as true now as ever.
The Ministry of Justice urgently needs to get the wheels turning again.
Last month ten new Nightingale Courts were also set up to cope with Covid-19 delays.
But Caroline Goodwin QC, chair of the CBA, warned that 100 such courts were needed for there to be any chance of clearing the backlog.
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An HMCTS spokesperson said: “Extra trials are being heard and almost 90% of court buildings are open.
"We are working hard to deliver swift justice and keep court users safe. A number of cases were successfully heard at Pallant House and further sites will follow.”
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