|
answer text |
<p>The information requested about the waiting times for trials where the defendant
has entered a not guilty plea for a possession of weapons charge in 2010 and 2018
can be found in the attached Excel document.</p><p> </p><p>Due to the small number
of defendants pleading not guilty to these offences at individual Crown Courts, we
have not supplied the average waiting times for courts where fewer than five defendants
pleaded not guilty. Basing an average on such small numbers can skew the mean and
result in the figures being unrepresentative.</p><p> </p><p>Performance, demand and
waiting times in the courts are constantly reviewed to balance sitting days with waiting
times, disposals and receipts. Resources are adjusted when appropriate. Demand has
been falling in recent years and sitting days have been reduced accordingly. The abolition
of committal hearings in 2013 transferred the file preparation period from the magistrates’
court to the Crown Court and so comparisons between pre-2013 data and post-2013 data
do not compare like with like.</p><p> </p><p>We will continue to review demand and
performance in the Crown Courts and will ensure they have the resource they require.</p>
|
|