Written Question·Ministry of Justice·UIN 101092

Magistrates' Courts

Tabled: 17 December 2025

Answered: 6 January 2026

Question

James McMurdock

Independent — South Basildon and East Thurrock

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the capacity of magistrates’ courts to handle additional triable-either-way cases.

Answer

Sarah Sackman

The magistrates’ court is an effective and efficient jurisdiction – In the 12 months to September 2025 it disposed of 1,448,163 cases with an average timeliness (offence to case completion) for the most recent quarter of 191 days. The Government will ensu...

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