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03/11/2010
Ending Jury Trials 'Could Save £30m Annually'
According to the Government's victims' commissioner, Louise Casey, scrapping jury trials on lesser offences could save up to £30m per year in prosecutors' costs alone.
At present, almost 70,000 cases are being heard at crown courts leading to greater expense and long delays for witnesses and victims of more serious offences.
It is reported that almost two-thirds of defendants who opt to be tried in the crown court go on to plead guilty, driving up the bill.
While crimes of a lesser nature go to the crown court trials, serious crimes continue to get backlogged for court time.
The average waiting time for a crown court trial is 28 weeks, often reaching a year in London.
The daily costs of running a trial in the magistrates' courts averages at £800. This figure more than doubles in crown courts.
Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke has voiced his desire for legal reform.
(BMcN)
At present, almost 70,000 cases are being heard at crown courts leading to greater expense and long delays for witnesses and victims of more serious offences.
It is reported that almost two-thirds of defendants who opt to be tried in the crown court go on to plead guilty, driving up the bill.
While crimes of a lesser nature go to the crown court trials, serious crimes continue to get backlogged for court time.
The average waiting time for a crown court trial is 28 weeks, often reaching a year in London.
The daily costs of running a trial in the magistrates' courts averages at £800. This figure more than doubles in crown courts.
Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke has voiced his desire for legal reform.
(BMcN)
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A teenager who raped an 11-year-old girl in the toilets of a supermarket has been sentenced to nine years detention. The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, assaulted the girl at Sainsbury's store in Lemington Spa, Warwickshire, in March 2.
Teen rapist sentenced to nine years in prison
A teenager who raped an 11-year-old girl in the toilets of a supermarket has been sentenced to nine years detention. The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, assaulted the girl at Sainsbury's store in Lemington Spa, Warwickshire, in March 2.
26 February 2004
Local community to gain role in running of courts system
Measures to ensure that local people have a say in how their courts are run have been unveiled today by Courts Minister Chris Leslie. New regulations, developed following a consultation which was published today, set out the framework for 42 community focused Courts Boards in England and Wales.
Local community to gain role in running of courts system
Measures to ensure that local people have a say in how their courts are run have been unveiled today by Courts Minister Chris Leslie. New regulations, developed following a consultation which was published today, set out the framework for 42 community focused Courts Boards in England and Wales.
15 December 2004
Time in court slashed for witnesses - minister
A new computer network linking 101 Crown courts and criminal justice agencies is to be introduced nationally today. The new network will allow for more police on the streets, making giving evidence in court much easier and updating police records much faster, Courts minister Christopher Leslie has said.
Time in court slashed for witnesses - minister
A new computer network linking 101 Crown courts and criminal justice agencies is to be introduced nationally today. The new network will allow for more police on the streets, making giving evidence in court much easier and updating police records much faster, Courts minister Christopher Leslie has said.
02 July 2013
Camera Coverage Could Be Extended To Crown Courts
The agreement to allow broadcasters to film Court of Appeal proceedings from October, could be extended to the Crown court "in due course". Currently, proceedings can be filmed in the Supreme court, the final court of appeal, and this will be followed in October with the broadcast of the Court of Appeal.
Camera Coverage Could Be Extended To Crown Courts
The agreement to allow broadcasters to film Court of Appeal proceedings from October, could be extended to the Crown court "in due course". Currently, proceedings can be filmed in the Supreme court, the final court of appeal, and this will be followed in October with the broadcast of the Court of Appeal.
06 December 2004
Falconer pledges better deal for victims and witnesses
A better deal for victims and witnesses, with more specialist facilities in courts, was announced today by Constitutional Affairs Secretary Lord Falconer. Lord Falconer said: "The needs and safety of victims must be at the heart of the way trials are managed. Giving evidence is a nerve-racking experience, especially for victims.
Falconer pledges better deal for victims and witnesses
A better deal for victims and witnesses, with more specialist facilities in courts, was announced today by Constitutional Affairs Secretary Lord Falconer. Lord Falconer said: "The needs and safety of victims must be at the heart of the way trials are managed. Giving evidence is a nerve-racking experience, especially for victims.
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