Written Question·Ministry of Justice·UIN 99759

Trials

Tabled: 15 December 2025

Answered: 22 December 2025

Named Day

Question

Karl Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate his Department has made of the duration of hearings required to determine whether an offence is likely to attract a custodial sentence of three years or more.

Answer

Sarah Sackman

Criminal cases will continue to start in the magistrates’ court and will be sent to the Crown Court by magistrates where the seriousness or complexity of the case means it is more suitable for trial on indictment.Post reforms, to determine whether a triab...

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