Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mike Freer and Vicky Ford

Tuesday 21st November 2023 Commons Chamber

[Vicky Ford (Chelmsford) (Con)]

I thank the Courts Minister for his recent letter on recruitment and retention of legal advisers in Essex and the impact that that is having on court listings. Although I know that he and I agree about the independence of the judiciary regarding individual cases, will he meet me to discuss what more might be done to fill the vacancies for legal advisers in Essex?

[Mike Freer]

I am always happy to meet my right hon. Friend.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mike Freer and Vicky Ford

Tuesday 22nd November 2022 Commons Chamber

[Vicky Ford (Chelmsford) (Con)]

T3. There are long waiting lists for the Crown court in Essex, and I am told that that is in part due to a shortage of judges. What progress is being made to shorten the waiting lists and appoint judges in Essex?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mike Freer)]

We are working hard to ensure that we recruit over 1,000 new judges. We are allowing 80 circuit judges and 125 fee-paid recorders to sit for more days to ensure we increase capacity. We are boosting circuit judge recruitment, with about 90 new appointments, who will sit in London and the south-east, including Essex, to address the issues my right hon. Friend raised.