Andy Burnham Vows to 'Rebalance' Justice System With Specialist Rape and Sexual Offences Courts

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced plans to roll out specialist courtrooms for rape and serious sexual offences across every Crown Court in England and Wales, saying the reforms will 'rebalance the scales of justice' and put victims first.

The measures, announced on 21 September, will see every Crown Court receive at least one specially equipped courtroom for rape and serious sexual offence cases within the next two years. The government says the programme will be backed by a multi-million-pound funding package.

Specialist Courts To Put Victims First

Under the reforms, rape and serious sexual offence cases will be prioritised and given fixed trial dates rather than being placed on floating lists, where hearings can be moved at short notice.

The specialist courtrooms will also provide private entrances and waiting rooms to help keep victims separated from defendants. Facilities will allow evidence to be pre-recorded and victims to observe sentencing remotely.

Court staff will receive trauma-informed training, while the government will trial a single point of contact for victims throughout the court process.

Burnham said victims had been 'let down' by the justice system for too long, pointing to low rape prosecution rates and lengthy waits for cases to reach trial.

'This is not good enough. That's why we are making major changes to rebalance the scales of justice and put victims first,' he said.

In a social media post accompanying the announcement, Burnham said women and girls should be able to live free from violence and abuse, adding that when crimes occur, victims need a justice system that properly supports them.

Rape Cases Took 424 Days To Complete in 2025

Government figures show rape cases took an average of 424 days to complete after reaching the Crown Court in 2025. Officials said delays have contributed to some victims withdrawing before their cases are heard.

The figures underline the scale of the challenge facing ministers as they attempt to shorten waiting times while ensuring victims receive greater certainty about when their cases will finally reach trial.

A new Rape Justice Taskforce will bring together leaders from across the criminal justice system to examine postponed trials and address myths and misconceptions that officials say can contribute to victims disengaging from cases.

The reforms broadly reflect recommendations made by the Law Commission in its 2025 report on evidence in sexual offence prosecutions. It recommended specialist sexual offence courts within existing court buildings, alongside prioritised case listings, trained personnel, appropriate technology and additional support for participants.

The government has also pledged to establish dedicated rape and sexual offence investigation teams in every police force in England and Wales by the end of 2027.

Burnham said changing prosecutions alone would not be enough and pledged further action aimed at preventing violence against women and girls.

The measures form part of the government's wider commitment to halve violence against women and girls within a decade. For victims facing long waits and repeated uncertainty, the immediate test will be whether specialist courtrooms and fixed trial dates can reduce delays while providing greater support throughout the justice process.