Crown Prosecution Service: Ensuring Effective Functioning of the Courts

Part of Solicitor General – in the House of Commons at on 20 March 2025.

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Photo of Lucy Rigby Lucy Rigby The Solicitor-General

My hon. Friend raises an important point. The shortage of counsel is, indeed, a problem and has contributed to the record Crown court backlog. The Crown Prosecution Service is widening their panel, including for rape and serious sexual offences counsel. I have had regular discussions with the chair of the Bar Council around its work to try to ensure that criminal practitioners continue to stay in that line of work. I am also conscious that Ministry of Justice colleagues are very much committed to the sustainability of the Bar and are having regular discussions.