Court Reforms Target Delays
Specialist Rape Courts Planned Across England and Wales Within Two Years
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Key Points
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Although survivors can already request private entrances and waiting rooms, access currently depends on the facilities available at individual courts; the reforms aim to make these protections consistently available nationwide.
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The government had previously announced that rape survivors would receive access to specialist legal advice throughout the criminal justice process, an additional measure alongside the new specialist courtrooms.
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Rape Crisis England and Wales chief executive Ciara Bergman said the measures would help ensure courts are “fit for purpose” and meet the needs of victims and survivors, which she described as crucial to securing justice.
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Charlotte Nichols said the reforms would help prevent survivors from being “retraumatised by seeking justice,” and described the changes as a “hugely important milestone.”
England and Wales will establish specialist rape courts in every Crown Court within two years, KMFM reported. The government plans to spend about £23 million to create dedicated courtrooms for sexual offence cases. Survivors will get private entrances, pre-recorded evidence options, and trauma-informed staff. The move aims to cut long delays and boost prosecution rates for serious crimes.
Labour MP Charlotte Nichols, who waited over 1,000 days for her own rape case to reach court, called the reforms "a hugely important milestone." Rape Crisis England and Wales welcomed the changes as necessary. Starting in October, rape trials will receive fixed court dates instead of floating assignments, speeding up the process.
How Specialist Courts Will Protect Survivors
Survivors will access private entrances and dedicated waiting rooms at every Crown Court, KMFM reported. They can pre-record evidence before trial or watch sentencing from a separate room. Courts will assign trauma-informed staff and provide each survivor a single point of contact. These protections already exist at some courts but depend on available facilities — the reforms guarantee nationwide consistency.
Fixed Trial Dates to End Years-Long Backlogs
From October, rape and sexual offence trials will receive fixed court dates rather than floating on unpredictable assignment lists, KMFM stated. This scheduling change targets a critical pain point: survivors currently wait months or years for cases to proceed. Charlotte Nichols endured more than 1,000 days waiting. Fixed dates are expected to reduce delays significantly and prevent survivors from being "retraumatised by seeking justice."
Why Specialist Courts Matter for Justice
Rape prosecution rates in England and Wales have fallen sharply in recent years. Rape Crisis England and Wales says specialist courtrooms make courts "fit for purpose" to meet victim needs. Ciara Bergman, the charity's chief executive, stressed that proper facilities are crucial to securing justice. The government acknowledged prevention efforts must accompany prosecution reforms — a broader push beyond courtroom changes alone.
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