Labour’s plans for specialist rape courts are on hold as concerns grow over a lack of available lawyers to handle the cases
London: The government has decided to step back from its earlier plans to create specialized rape courts. They were supposed to help clear a massive backlog of cases. But now, there are worries about not having enough lawyers to make this work.
During the election, Labour promised to use empty spaces in crown courts to speed up rape cases. They wanted to tackle the long wait times for victims. But it seems that this idea is now on hold.
Sources from the government and the Ministry of Justice have indicated that the focus will shift to a broader review of court policies led by Sir Brian Leveson. His recommendations are expected in the spring.
Labour’s manifesto highlighted the urgency of fast-tracking rape cases through specialized courts across England and Wales. They aimed to show their commitment to fighting violence against women and girls.
However, many in the legal field were doubtful. They pointed out that the real issue is the shortage of lawyers willing to take on these challenging and often underpaid cases. This shortage has led to a situation where 60% of rape victims drop out before their trials even start.
From 2019 to the end of 2023, there was a staggering 346% rise in adult rape cases waiting in crown courts. This has led to claims that rape is effectively being “decriminalized.”
In England and Wales, only 2.6% of rape cases result in a charge. When asked about the status of the pledge for new rape courts, a spokesperson from the MoJ said the government is focused on reducing violence against women and girls.
They mentioned that since July, efforts have been made to speed up justice for victims. This includes funding for 2,500 extra court days, which is the highest capacity in a decade.
Additionally, magistrates’ sentencing powers have been doubled, allowing crown courts to handle more serious cases. Sir Brian Leveson has been tasked with recommending significant reforms to the criminal court system, with a report due in spring.
Government sources have stated that any future decisions will wait for Leveson’s findings. They also emphasized the importance of working with the judiciary rather than imposing top-down solutions.
Labour has already announced funding for more sitting days in crown courts and extended magistrates’ sentencing powers to help manage serious cases more effectively.
Anthony Rogers, the chief inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service, expressed concerns that the backlog of crown court cases could rise from over 70,000 to at least 100,000.
While the recent budget did increase funding for justice, many believe it won’t be enough without major changes to the court system. Rogers also mentioned that a separate sentencing review led by former Tory justice secretary David Gauke is in progress, but it won’t be quick. Meanwhile, victims continue to be let down as the backlog grows, with one in three crown court trials seeing victims pull out.
