|
answer text |
<p>The information requested about the waiting times for trials where the defendant
has entered a not guilty plea for a rape charge in 2010 and 2018 can be found in the
attached Excel document.</p><p> </p><p>Due to 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>
|
|