Specialist courts designed to handle cases of rape and other sexual offences will be implemented across England and Wales within the next two years, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on September 20, 2026.

This initiative aims to create a more supportive and efficient justice system for victims and survivors of sexual violence. The move comes amid ongoing concerns about low prosecution rates and significant delays in the legal process for these sensitive cases.

Under the new system, each Crown Court will designate at least one courtroom for sexual offence cases. Alleged victims will have the option to view proceedings remotely and provide evidence via video link from a separate room. They will also benefit from private entrances and waiting areas, where possible, to minimize contact with defendants.

Rape Crisis England and Wales has welcomed the announcement, describing it as a significant step forward that incorporates several reforms the charity has long advocated for. Ciara Bergman, the organization's chief executive, stated that these changes are crucial for ensuring courts are adequately equipped to meet the needs of victims and survivors, thereby facilitating the pursuit of justice.

Statistics highlight the challenges victims face. In the year ending March 2024, only 2.8% of recorded rape offenses resulted in prosecutions, with these cases also experiencing the longest investigation times. A previous study indicated that a substantial majority of rape victims do not report assaults to the police, often citing a lack of faith in the police response or a fear of a humiliating legal process.

Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones acknowledged that while specialized courtrooms are a positive development, they are not a complete solution to the backlog of Crown Court cases, which stood at 80,098 at the end of March. She emphasized the importance of the Courts and Tribunals Bill in improving the timeliness, effectiveness, and preventative aspects of the justice system. Notably, 19% of the Crown Court backlog, equating to 15,373 cases, are related to sexual offenses.

The government plans to allocate approximately £23 million from the Ministry of Justice budget for these reforms. This funding will support trauma-informed training for court staff and ensure each survivor has a dedicated point of contact. Furthermore, starting next month, trials will be assigned fixed dates instead of being placed on floating lists, a measure Prime Minister Burnham described as an effort to "rebalance the scales of justice and put victims first."

The government's decision to introduce these specialist courts was influenced by the public advocacy of Labour MP Charlotte Nichols. Nichols shared her personal experience of waiting over 1,000 days for her case to go to court, waiving her anonymity in March to speak about her ordeal and call for systemic changes. Her bravery in speaking out has been credited with accelerating the push for these reforms, aiming to address the profound delays and difficulties survivors have encountered within the justice system.