Sexual Offences: Crown Court

We know that victims of rape and other sexual offences can wait longer than victims of other offence types for their cases to complete at the Crown Court. Judges, where possible, look to prioritise cases involving vulnerable victims and witnesses, which will include rape and sexual offence cases.

This Government has already taken decisive action to increase the capacity of the Crown Court to deliver swifter justice for victims – including victims of rape and sexual offences. This includes increasing magistrates’ court sentencing powers from 6 to 12 months to free up time in the Crown Court and funding 108,500 sitting days this financial year, the highest level in almost ten years. Next financial year, this Government is funding a record allocation of 110,000 sitting days in the Crown Court, which will mean that even more cases can be heard.

However, we recognise we must go further. That is why the Lord Chancellor has commissioned Sir Brian Leveson to undertake an Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, which will consider options for longer-term reform, as well as reviewing how the criminal courts could operate as efficiently as possible. The Review will report on recommendations for reform by late Spring, followed by recommendations on court efficiency by Autumn.

We remain committed to delivering on our manifesto commitment to fast-track rape cases, with specialist courts. We are carefully considering the best way to do this, considering impacts on other offence types and wider Crown Court recovery. We plan to work with the judiciary to do this and will be able to say more in due course.