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Written question asked by Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru) on Monday, 2 March 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 4 March 2015. It was answered by Robert Buckland (Conservative) on Monday, 9 March 2015 on behalf of the Attorney General.

Criminal Proceedings

Question

To ask the Attorney General, what procedures are in place for informing victims of the reasons for delays in criminal matters relevant to their case being listed for court.

Answer

The joint police/Crown Prosecution Service Witness Care Units are responsible for updating victims on the progress of their case. This includes informing victims of hearing outcomes, and, in any case which cannot be listed within the usual timescales, providing them, where known, with relevant information about why the delay has occurred.

The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (the Victims’ Code) sets out the services to be provided to victims of crime. Under the Victims’ Code, victims are entitled to be informed of the date, location and outcome of any criminal court hearings in the case by their Witness Care Unit or by the police where they act as a single point of contact for victims. This information must be provided within 1 working day of the Witness Care Unit receiving it from the court. Where victims are due to attend court as a witness they are entitled wherever possible, to receive an explanation from the Crown Prosecution Service prosecutor or representative if there is a delay in proceedings on the day and how long the wait is likely to be.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
225839
Session
2014-15
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Criminal proceedings Victims
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk