It has been revealed that a staggering number of nearly 200 “very old” rape cases are set to potentially go to trial by the end of July. These cases, some of which involve child victims, have been languishing in crown courts across England and Wales since 2021, causing immense frustration and delays for all parties involved. The delay in addressing these cases has been described as “an unacceptable state of affairs” by Lord Justice Edis, the senior presiding judge for England and Wales.
Lord Justice Edis attributed the backlog of these cases to the disruptions caused by the pandemic over the past four years. The system faced unprecedented challenges during this time, leading to a significant accumulation of rape cases awaiting trial. Despite the system now having regained its capacity to address these cases, the backlog remains a pressing issue that cannot be ignored.
While Lord Justice Edis’s intervention has been welcomed, Labour’s shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasized that the ultimate responsibility for ensuring a functional criminal justice system lies with the government. The record backlog of cases, including those involving rape victims, is a direct result of the government’s failure to address the crisis effectively. Judges should not bear the burden of rectifying a situation that is fundamentally a governmental failing.
A recent survey conducted by the Criminal Bar Association revealed that over 60% of barristers approved to handle rape and serious sexual offenses cases are reluctant to reapply to continue their work in this area. Lord Justice Edis expressed concern over the potential impact of this shortage of skilled advocates on the criminal justice system’s ability to address such cases effectively. The long-term sustainability of a skilled workforce in handling rape and sexual assault cases is crucial for ensuring justice for victims.
The Need for Long-Term Solutions
Lord Justice Edis highlighted the necessity of investing in the recruitment and retention of skilled legal professionals to handle rape and serious sexual offenses cases. Without a steady supply of experienced advocates in this field, the system’s capacity to address such cases will be severely hampered. Long-term solutions and investments are needed to ensure that victims of rape do not face prolonged delays in having their cases heard and justice served.