UK rolls out specialist rape courtrooms across every Crown Court in England and Wales
The Ministry of Justice said on September 21, 2026 that every Crown Court in England and Wales will receive at least one courtroom configured for rape and serious sexual offence cases within two years, with private entrances and waiting rooms, trauma-informed staff training, and priority listing. The package includes a Rape Justice Taskforce; Bar Council chair Kirsty Brimelow KC said the scheme should also cover domestic abuse cases, the Law Gazette reported.
Text (The Guardian) → · BBC News, GOV.UK / Ministry of Justice, Law Gazette
Key points
- Every Crown Court in England and Wales will get at least one specialist rape courtroom within two years.The GuardianGOV.UK / Ministry of JusticeLaw Gazette
- Plans include private entrances and waiting rooms, trauma-informed training, and a single complainant contact point.GOV.UK / Ministry of JusticeLaw Gazette
- MoJ said a multi-million-pound package and Rape Justice Taskforce will tackle postponed trials and withdrawals.GOV.UK / Ministry of JusticeLaw Gazette
- In 2025, rape cases took an average of 424 days to complete once at the Crown Court.Law Gazette
- Bar Council chair Kirsty Brimelow KC urged the scheme also to cover domestic abuse cases.Law Gazette
Sources4 articles across 4 outlets
BBC News
GOV.UK / Ministry of Justice
Law Gazette
The Guardian