England and Wales plan specialist courtrooms and fixed dates for rape trials
A plan announced on 20 September 2026 would equip every Crown Court in England and Wales with a specialist courtroom within two years and prioritise rape and serious sexual offence trials with fixed dates.
In short
- A plan announced on 20 September 2026 would equip every Crown Court in England and Wales with a specialist courtroom within two years and prioritise rape and serious sexual offence trials with fixed dates.
Every Crown Court in England and Wales is to have at least one courtroom equipped for rape and serious sexual offence cases within two years under plans announced on 20 September 2026, The Guardian reported.
The Ministry of Justice package would prioritise these trials and give them fixed dates, replacing scheduling arrangements that allow cases to be moved at short notice. Planned facilities include private entrances and waiting areas, equipment to record evidence beforehand, and ways for survivors to observe sentencing remotely.
The announcement also includes training for court staff on responding to trauma and a pilot offering survivors a single contact through the court process. A separate £43 million allocation would support counselling, therapy and other services over two years.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the changes were intended to improve a system in which survivors can wait years for a trial. Rape Crisis England & Wales welcomed the measures.
Victims’ commissioner Claire Waxman cautioned that specialist rooms alone would not resolve the backlog. Her warning highlights the distinction between improving facilities and ensuring cases can reach trial promptly.
