Falconer promises swifter justice

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Courts in England and Wales are working to speed up justice, the Lord Chancellor has said.

Lord Falconer, head of the new Ministry of Justice, said more work was being done online and more mediation was being encouraged to cut long hearings.

Court managers had made commitments to resolve family cases within 40 weeks and Crown Court cases within 16 weeks.

Lord Falconer said speedier services would see "real improvements" and justice working "more simply".

Speaking at Manchester City Magistrates' Court, he described a programme of improvements, called Breakthrough, which had been suggested by court managers.

The eight new commitments they have made are:

<li> To resolve childcare cases within 40 weeks

<li>To ensure cases in Crown Court are completed within 16 weeks

<li>To deal with most guilty pleas in magistrates' courts at the first hearing

<li>To improve local courts' awareness of local crime issues

<li>More mediation in family courts to prevent long court hearings

<li>More court business done online

<li>More small claims cases dealt with by mediation

<li>To keep users informed about the progress of their case

Some proposals have already been trialled in some areas, but will now be rolled out across England and Wales.

Lord Falconer said: "These new pledges will lead to real improvements for everyone who uses the courts.

"They will see justice delivered much more swiftly and much more simply."