New plans to 
speed up 
court system

Criminal cases involving a range of offences including theft, violence and racism will be sent to crown courts more quickly under new plans.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th May 2013, 01:01 BST

“Either-way offences’’, which can be tried at either magistrates’ or crown courts depending on the seriousness of the allegations, will be sent straight to crown courts if magistrates deem it appropriate.

So-called committal hearings have already been scrapped in areas serving 33 crown courts and have now been extended to the remaining 60 crown courts across the country, Justice Minister Damian Green said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This will mean around 60,000 fewer hearings will be needed each year.

Mr Green said: “Abolishing committal hearings is another one of the reforms we are taking forward to make justice respond more quickly and effectively for victims, witnesses and taxpayers.”

The changes are part of a wider package of reforms aimed at speeding up processes within the criminal justice system.