Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 14 August 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the report published by the Victims Commissioner in England and Wales, Justice delayed: The impact of the Crown Court backlog on victims, victim services and the criminal justice system, whether it plans to commission research on the impact of the court backlog on victims in Scotland.
The Scottish Government has already taken steps to acknowledge, measure and address the impact of the court backlog in Scotland, including the impact on victims of crime.
Our Improving victims’ experiences of the justice system consultation, in 2022, sought views on balancing a trauma informed approach to court scheduling with the need for continued action to address the court backlog, and the impact that can have on victims. Responses to the consultation helped to shape the provisions in the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025, including those in Part 2 requiring the Lord President to take trauma-informed practice into account in scheduling court business.
The Audit Scotland Criminal courts backlog report in May 2023 highlighted the impact that the backlog has had on victims. In its follow up report of May this year, Audit Scotland recognised the significant progress that had been made in reducing the court backlog, reflecting targeted investment from the Scottish Government and positive collaboration across justice partners.
The Victims Taskforce, co-chaired by the Lord Advocate and I, has heard directly from victims and support organisations regarding the impact of the backlog. The work of the Taskforce is informed by lived experience via the Victim Survivor Advisory Board. There is also regular engagement at both ministerial and official level with support organisations to facilitate feedback and knowledge exchange on the issues affecting victims in the justice system.
There are no current plans to commission further research given the existing evidence. We will continue to focus on improving efficiency, reducing delays and freeing up court capacity for the most serious cases and on implementing measures in the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025.