The Ministry of Justice has published its response to the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts.
The Government has accepted, or accepted in principle, most of the review’s 180 recommendations.
New measures include:
- £17.4 million to support virtual remand hearing pilots.
- Up to £5 million for specialist case coordinators in Crown Courts across England and Wales.
- Greater use of remote hearings and digital case management.
- Expanded court broadcasting arrangements.
The Government also confirmed that it intends to remove proposals restricting jury trials from the Courts and Tribunals Bill.
Why it matters for Wales: Criminal justice remains largely reserved to Westminster. These reforms could affect Welsh courts, policing, victims, witnesses and defendants.
However, the locations of the initial virtual remand pilots have not been confirmed as including Wales.
