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Specialist courtrooms for rape and serious sexual offence cases are to be introduced in every Crown Court in England and Wales over the next two years, the Government has announced.
The Ministry of Justice said every Crown Court will have at least one courtroom specially equipped to hear rape and serious sexual offence cases, supported by a multi-million-pound funding package.
The changes will also see rape and serious sexual offence trials prioritised in the courts. Cases will be given fixed trial dates rather than being placed on floating lists, where hearings can be moved at short notice and potentially delayed for months.
The Government said the measures were intended to reduce delays and provide greater support for victims. In 2025, rape cases took an average of 424 days to complete once they had reached the Crown Court.
Specialist courtrooms will include private waiting rooms and entrances for victims, as well as facilities allowing evidence to be pre-recorded and sentencing to be observed remotely.
All court staff will receive trauma-informed training under the new arrangements. A pilot will also provide victims of sexual offences with a single point of contact during the court process to help ensure their needs are addressed.
The Government is also establishing a Rape Justice Taskforce, bringing together senior figures from across the criminal justice system. Its remit will include addressing the rising number of postponed rape trials and tackling what the Government describes as myths that can contribute to victims withdrawing from cases.
Rape Crisis England & Wales welcomed the measures, describing them as a significant step towards ensuring courts are better equipped to meet the needs of victims and survivors.
Ciara Bergman, chief executive of Rape Crisis England & Wales, said reforms to improve trial efficiency and enable survivors to participate in and observe proceedings were particularly welcome. She also highlighted the importance of separate waiting areas, entrances and exits to reduce the risk of survivors encountering defendants and their supporters at court.
The announcement forms part of wider Government measures relating to violence against women and girls. Earlier this month, the Government announced that all police forces in England and Wales would have dedicated rape and sexual offence investigation teams by the end of 2027.
The Government has also said it has committed more than £1 billion to support victims of violence against women and girls and is introducing Domestic Abuse Protection Orders, alongside plans to place domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms across England and Wales.
Further measures to address delays in the courts are expected through the Courts and Tribunals Bill, which the Government said is due to return to Parliament in October.
