Committees

Court Capacity

Inquiry

This inquiry is looking at the capacity of the court system and how it can address delays to cases being heard. The number of delays has grown significantly due to the covid-19 pandemic.

It will examine:

  • How these delays can be addressed
  • The practical experience of these delays for lawyers, witnesses, victims and defendants
  • Whether the increase of 4,500 court sitting days is enough to clear the backlog of cases
  • What long term solutions to the delays, including digital hearings, may be possible.

Read the call for evidence to find out more about the inquiry.

Upcoming events

View all events

No upcoming events scheduled

Past events

Wednesday 24 March 2021
9:30am Public
Oral evidence session 24 March 2021
Court Capacity; The Future of Legal Aid - Oral evidence
9:30am
  • The Lord Wolfson of Tredegar KC (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at Ministry of Justice)
  • Kevin Sadler (Acting Chief Executive at HM Courts and Tribunals Service)
  • Jane Harbottle (Chief Executive at Legal Aid Agency)
  • Jelena Lentzos (Deputy Director, Legal Aid Policy at Ministry of Justice)
Virtual meeting
Tuesday 16 March 2021
1:45pm Private
2:30pm Public
Formal meeting 16 March 2021
Court Capacity; The Future of Legal Aid - Oral evidence
2:30pm
  • David Lloyd (PCC for Hertfordshire and Criminal Justice System Lead at Association of Police and Crime Commissioners)
  • DCC Tony Blaker (Digital First Lead, Criminal Justice Committee, at National Police Chiefs' Council)
3:15pm
  • Phil Copple (Director General of Prisons at HM Prison and Probation Service)
  • Rebecca Lawrence (Chief Executive Officer at Crown Prosecution Service)
4:00pm
  • Tony Cooper (Chief Operating Officer at ACAS)
  • Jacky Tiotto (Chief Executive Officer at CAFCASS)
  • Laura Bee (Industrial Officer and Group Secretary for the Justice Sector Group at Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS))
Virtual meeting
Tuesday 2 March 2021
2:30pm Public
Formal meeting 2 March 2021
Court Capacity; The Future of Legal Aid - Oral evidence
2:30pm
  • Dame Vera Baird DBE QC Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales
  • Penelope Gibbs (Director at Transform Justice)
  • Jodie Blackstock (Legal Director at JUSTICE)
3:30pm
  • Nimrod Ben-Cnaan (Head of Policy and Profile at Law Centres Network)
  • Jo Underwood (Head of Strategic Litigation at Shelter)
Virtual meeting
Tuesday 23 February 2021
1:45pm Private
2:30pm Public
Formal meeting 23 February 2021
Court Capacity; The Future of Legal Aid - Oral evidence
2:30pm
  • Jane Russell (Committee Member at Employment Law Bar Association)
  • Simon Mullings (Co-Chair at Housing Law Practitioners Association )
3:30pm
  • Mr Chris Minnoch (Chief Executive Officer at Legal Aid Practitioners Group)
  • Ian Townley (Director and Head of Costs at Broudie Jackson Canter)
Virtual meeting

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