Specialist courtrooms to prioritise rape cases in England and Wales

The Labour Government are establishing specialist courtrooms at all crown courts dedicated to hearing rape and other serious sex offenses, with these serious sex crimes allocated shortlist hearings to reduced the waiting time victims face when seeking justice.

“Announcing the move, Andy Burnham said victims of rape and serious sexual offences had felt let down by the justice system for too long, adding that prosecution rates for rape remained “shamefully low”, with many victims waiting years for justice.”