Reading comprehension
In trouble with the law – Britain’s courts are in a mess
Why did the barristers have to decide whether a man could be kept in prison for longer than
would normally be legal?
Because of a failure to find a slot for a trial in time.
Britain’s commercial courts are favoured in the world. What for?
For their efficiency and impartiality.
How many outstanding crown court cases were there approximately at the end of the first
quarter of 2021?
60.000
What was the average time to resolve a private dispute involving children in 2021?
40 weeks
True or false?
- Many jury trials were moved online in England and Wales, nevertheless, a backlog quickly built up?
False, Jury trials were not conducted remotely in England and Wales.
- Despite the fact that cases with a guilty plea could be held remotely, a backlog did build up quickly?
True
“legal aid is a particular pinch point” how come?
Rates were last increased last century and were cut by 10% in 2014. Legal-aid firms have fallen
by almost 50%.
What is the result?
Weaker cases. The longer one takes to come to trial, the fuzzier the memories of witnesses and
victims become.
“Rape is effectively decriminalized”
The number of cases that are completed has fallen from more than 5.000 in 2016 to just 1.500 last year.
Since 2015 the proportion of cases, that fold because the victim withdraws has risen from 9% to 26%.
What are “single justice procedures”?
Defendants who admit guilt do not need to come to court.
The government does plan to improve things for Britain’s courts and 4 decisions are
mentioned in the article. Which ones?
It lifts the cap on the number of “sitting days”.
It increases spending on the cps (Crown Prosecution Service).
More hearings will be held online.
Extending court hours.
Barristers are opposed to longer working days. What are their arguments?
They need evenings to prepare cases and travel long distances to court.
In what way is the government piling even extra pressure on the system?
It is in process of hiring 20.000 more police officers. More arrests -> more charges and more trials.
Pagina 1 van 2
Reading comprehensions
In trouble with the law – Britain’s courts are in a mess
Why did the barristers have to decide whether a man could be kept in prison for longer than
would normally be legal?
Because of a failure to find a slot for a trial in time.
Britain’s commercial courts are favoured in the world. What for?
For their efficiency and impartiality.
How many outstanding crown court cases were there approximately at the end of the first
quarter of 2021?
60.000
What was the average time to resolve a private dispute involving children in 2021?
40 weeks
True or false?
- Many jury trials were moved online in England and Wales, nevertheless, a backlog quickly built up?
False, Jury trials were not conducted remotely in England and Wales.
- Despite the fact that cases with a guilty plea could be held remotely, a backlog did build up quickly?
True
“legal aid is a particular pinch point” how come?
Rates were last increased last century and were cut by 10% in 2014. Legal-aid firms have fallen
by almost 50%.
What is the result?
Weaker cases. The longer one takes to come to trial, the fuzzier the memories of witnesses and
victims become.
“Rape is effectively decriminalized”
The number of cases that are completed has fallen from more than 5.000 in 2016 to just 1.500 last year.
Since 2015 the proportion of cases, that fold because the victim withdraws has risen from 9% to 26%.
What are “single justice procedures”?
Defendants who admit guilt do not need to come to court.
The government does plan to improve things for Britain’s courts and 4 decisions are
mentioned in the article. Which ones?
It lifts the cap on the number of “sitting days”.
It increases spending on the cps (Crown Prosecution Service).
More hearings will be held online.
Extending court hours.
Barristers are opposed to longer working days. What are their arguments?
They need evenings to prepare cases and travel long distances to court.
In what way is the government piling even extra pressure on the system?
It is in process of hiring 20.000 more police officers. More arrests -> more charges and more trials.
Pagina 1 van 2
Reading comprehensions
