Dealing with Cases Promptly and Efficiently

Increase its efficiency in the listing of criminal cases

Her Majesty’s Courts Service in Lincoln is currently using the Effective Trial Management Programme in order to increase its efficiency in the listing of criminal cases.

All defendants are receiving an appointment card and a leaflet about attending court. These leaflets contain reminders about the consequences of failing to appear in court – the aim is to increase the number of defendants who attend court on the correct date.

The Crown Prosecution Service and Police are working closely together to ensure that as much information as possible is gathered in time for the first hearing. A new role of Case Progression Officer has been created, to monitor the case file through to trial, ensure that court directions are complied with and that those directions requiring Certificates of Readiness no later than 10 days before the trial date are completed on time. These certificates are required from the Crown Prosecution Service and the Defence to confirm that both parties are ready for the hearing to take place.

All of the above measures will result in better preparation on both sides, fewer delays and adjournments, and more effective use of court facilities and sentencers’ time.

XHIBIT – New IT system in Lincoln Crown Court

XHIBIT improves the daily business of Lincoln Crown Court by providing hearing information within minutes to those who need it. Replacing paper records and hand written logs, it is the first step in joining up the Criminal Justice System.

XHIBIT sends vital hearing information from the courtroom to:

  • Lincolnshire Police
  • Victims and witnesses
  • National Probation Service Lincolnshire
  • Crown Prosecution Service
  • Her Majesty’s Prison Service
  • Lincolnshire Magistrates’ Courts
  • Lincolnshire Youth Offending Service
  • Potential benefits of XHIBIT include:
      • Faster updating of the Police National Computer
      • Fewer unneccesary adjournments
      • Fewer ineffective hearings
      • Better witness management
      • Distributing information much more efficiently across the Criminal Justice System
      • Reduced solicitor waiting times
      • Improved experience of victims and witnesses
      • Increased visibility of hearing progressions
      • Improved communication among court staff

All of these lead to improved efficiencies in the court hearing process.

 

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