Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to improve communication between civil, family and criminal courts.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service’s regional structure encourages staff to review and improve internal processes and communication. This promotes the sharing of information and best practice across the three jurisdictions. Internal communications channels ensure that staff in all jurisdictions receive and share the same information.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service is committed to providing an efficient and effective service to users at all of its courts and tribunals.

The Government pledged in “Our Commitment to Victims” to ensure that victims’ needs are at the forefront of our plans to modernise the courts.

In particular, the Government implemented a new Code of Practice for Victims of Crime on 10th December 2013. The Victims’ Code outlines the minimum entitlements every victim of crime must expect to receive from Criminal Justice System partners.