Youth Justice
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to reduce the time taken to complete youth justice cases.
Answered by Sir Nicholas Dakin
This Government inherited a criminal justice system in crisis and recognises the impact the outstanding caseloads left behind by the previous administration is having. That is why we are working tirelessly to tackle this, including increasing sitting days to a record level, increasing magistrates sentencing powers and commissioning an independent review of the criminal courts, led by Sir Brian Leveson, to consider the merits of once-in-a-generation reform.
Listing of cases is a judicial function, and where possible cases involving young defendants are prioritised, and regularly reviewed, to ensure they are being listed as expeditiously as possible.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →