£1bn Boost for Justice as ‘Super Courtroom’ Tackles Trial Backlog
So-called ‘multi-hander’ cases, involving three or more defendants, make up nearly a fifth of all trials stuck in limbo as of mid-October. The pandemic’s social distancing rules have made these complex trials a nightmare for courts to schedule.
New ‘Super Courtroom’ Set to Slash Delays
Enter the brand-new ‘super courtroom’ — a game-changer designed to speed up these multi-defendant trials. The facility will free up space across England and Wales, allowing courts to handle up to 250 extra cases a year.
This is the second such court after Manchester’s hub opened in September. The court will harness HM Courts & Tribunals Service’s rapid roll-out of remote tech since Covid hit.
Helping Victims and Witnesses
Crucially, vulnerable witnesses and victims can give evidence remotely, sparing them the trauma of facing defendants in court.
Massive Government Investment to Clear the Backlog
The government is pouring a whopping £1 billion into the Ministry of Justice, following the latest Spending Review. Nearly half the cash targets faster justice, shorter waits, and shrinking court queues.
“This new super courtroom will be an important asset as we start to reduce the backlog,” said Deputy PM and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab. “It will free up space elsewhere in our court estate – allowing us to hear up to 250 extra cases every year. It forms part of our broader plan to build back better from the pandemic, investing £500 million to reduce waiting times and speed up the delivery of justice for victims.”
Courts Catching Up After Pandemic Chaos
- £250 million already spent supporting court recovery last year
- Over £50 million allocated to victim support services
- No limits on Crown Court sitting days for 2021
- Nightingale courtrooms spread nationwide for increased trial capacity
- Extension of 32 Crown courtrooms dealing with criminal trials through March 2022
- 3,265 virtual courtrooms set up with audio and video hearings, handling 13,600 hearings weekly
These efforts are paying off: outstanding magistrates’ court cases have dropped by 80,000 since July 2020, while Crown Court backlogs have stabilised in recent months.
