Labour had pledged to fast-track rape cases through specialist courts at every crown court site in England and Wales, emphasizing this as an urgent priority.
However, government sources have confirmed that plans for these specialist rape courts have been effectively paused, folding these considerations into a broader court review.
The legal profession expresses skepticism about the feasibility of fast-tracking, citing a critical shortage of lawyers willing to engage in complex and underpaid rape casework.
The backlog of rape cases has dramatically increased, with a 346% rise observed since 2019 and 60% of victims reportedly dropping out before trials.
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