Simple Speedy Summary Justice
28 Feb 2007
CJSSS aims to improve the way cases are managed and dealt with, focusing on the methods that make the justice system work well.
The resounding success of the pilots in Thames, Camberwell, Coventry and West Cumbria mean CJSSS will be implemented in each of the 360 magistrates' courts in England and Wales.
The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer said: "It has provided a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when all of the agencies involved in criminal justice work together in a simpler, faster, more focused way.
"Simple things have made a real difference. Clear and constructive inter-agency communication, information being available in advance and greater familiarity with the cases being brought before the court. This has been underpinned by everyone involved working better together."
The results are significant:
• The average time taken between charge and conclusion, has been more than halved - down to 23 days.
• There has been a 30% increase in guilty pleas at first hearing – and 59% of guilty pleas are dealt with there and then. First hearings are now, very often, final hearings.
• In contested cases 70% are concluded after just two hearings.
• There has been a 70% reduction in interim hearings.
• Significant improvements have been made in the time taken to bring people to justice – trials are now happening on the date fixed and in good time, between 6-10 weeks following first hearing.
This has led to improved prosecution preparation for first hearing. The Crown Prosecution Service and the police are working together to ensure all relevant details are included in the advance information file and that the defence is ready for the first hearing.
It has also led to a reduction in requests for adjournments which results a quicker, simpler process and victims and witnesses.
Hearings have become more effective. Through advance reading of the papers, judges, magistrates and legal advisers will be able to press for a plea, if appropriate, to be entered there and then. And in contested cases, they will be in a position to provide directions and identify key issues and fix a date for trial. This makes the best possible use of the court's time.
After the first hearing, if its not resolved, regular meetings between the designated case progression officers in each agency can ensure that the issues identified at first hearing are being resolved as much as possible in advance of the second. Enabling trials to take place on time, without delay.
Lord Falconer concluded: "These are really significant achievements – and they are consistent across each of the four areas. The court should be the place where decisions are made and not justice delayed. But the success of the pilots is far more than better processes – its success has been borne out of establishing a new culture in the courts.
"It is collaborative; each component of the justice system is dependent on the other for delivering these improvements and for making sure that time is not wasted. As a result cases are progressing much faster, with less of an administrative burden, with more decisive outcomes."