Delays to most serious trials hurting victims

VICTIMS of the most serious crimes are suffering “immense pain” because of a huge rise in trial delays.

Last year survivors of rape waited an average of 48 weeks from when a case was first sent to the Crown Court to the start of a hearing – up from just under 30 weeks in 2014.

For murder cases, the delay went up from around 26 weeks a decade ago to nearly 39 weeks in 2023.

The legacy of Covid is seen as a big reason for the backlog.

The Government says crown courts are “still recovering from the impact of the pandemic” and also blames “disruptive” industrial action by barristers.

The Ministry of Justice says it “reduced our ability to hear cases swiftly”.

But Katie Kempen, of the charity Victim Support, said: “Long waits cause immense pain and suffering for victims.

“They feel like their life is on hold and find it impossible to move on.

“We are supporting people who have been waiting for as long as six years for their case to get court – this is inexcusable.

“The Government must tackle these delays as a matter of urgency. If they don’t, victims risk losing faith in the criminal justice system altogether.”

There is concern long waits for justice can have an “unimaginable effect” on survivors of rape.

Andrea Simon, of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said: “Victims’ rights to be treated with respect, dignity and sensitivity are often poorly upheld. Being left in limbo is a significant cause of many feeling forced to drop out of the process.”

The wait for trials involving gross bodily harm went up from around 30 weeks in 2014 to 50 weeks last year. The time before a robbery trial rose from 25 weeks to just short of 50 weeks.

Justice minister Mike Freer said: “We are committed to ensuring the delivery of swift justice for all victims and have introduced a raft of measures to achieve that aim. This includes funding around 107,000 sitting days during the most recent financial year, recruiting up to 1,000 judges annually and investing in the continued use of 20 Nightingale courtrooms.

“Judges do prioritise cases involving vulnerable complainants and witnesses. The Senior Presiding Judge has also recently announced all rape cases outstanding for more than two years will be listed by the end of July.”

But Shabana Mahmood, Shadow Justice Secretary, said: “It’s an indictment of this Government’s chaotic, crumbling criminal justice system that victims are being made to wait so long before their day in court. Justice delayed is justice denied.”

‘Survivors are left in limbo’