Nightingale Court: City missing out yet again
‘THEY ARE LOOKING AT A SITE BUT WON’T SAY WHERE IT IS’
NOTTINGHAM has again missed out on a new Nightingale Court even though the backlog of criminal cases continues to rise across the county.
Shocking figures revealed at a Nottinghamshire County Council police and crime panel meeting showed that, from January 3, there were 8,381 cases waiting to be heard at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court and 798 at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court.
At Nottingham Crown Court, there are 1,395 cases outstanding.
The panel says the area has “the highest number of live cases in the region”.
Elsewhere, Nightingale Courts have been set up by the Government to deal with the backlog of cases caused by Covid-19.
Last year, Nottingham missed out despite the police offering to hand over the former Hucknall police station to the court service free of charge.
Manchester’s Hilton Hotel, and event spaces in London and Birmingham are among 14 venues confirmed.
None of them are in the East Midlands.
Extra cases are being heard at Mansfield to cut delays – but officials are calling for a Nightingale Court.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Emma Foody is lobbying the Government to get one.
Long delays had a devastating impact on victims, witnesses, and defendants, and people could lose faith in the criminal system as a result, she said.
It is frustrating yet again to see a list with not even Nottingham or the East Midlands on it,” she added. “They have said they are looking at a site in Nottingham but won’t say where it is.
“Witnesses will struggle to recall events, victims are waiting longer to get on with their lives, and defendants are waiting to clear their name.
“The figures are better in Nottingham compared to other areas but there is still a backlog and there was a backlog before Covid. People are waiting longer for their day in court.
“The more delays the more risk there is of people not wanting to engage or dropping out.”
The nearest Nightingale Court to Nottingham will be in Birmingham.
The Ministry of Justice would not comment on when or if Nottingham would get a Nightingale Court.
Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland said: “We have achieved an immense amount in our battle to keep justice moving during the pandemic – restarting jury trials before anyone else, turbocharging the rollout of video technology, bringing magistrates’ backlogs down, and opening more courtrooms for jury trials.
“These new courts are the latest step in that effort, and I am determined to minimise delays and ensure justice is served for victims, defendants and the public.”