Fed chair demands urgent review of the CJS as more hearings adjourned

11 January 2024

‘The entire Criminal Justice System (CJS) needs to be revised’ says the chair of West Mercia Police Federation as frequently adjourned court cases continue to have a ‘massive impact on officers’.

Barry Horton has called for urgent changes to be made to the current CJS process, as he highlights the disruption adjourned or cancelled court cases are causing - not only for Federation members but for the victims involved too.

Barry has raised his concerns after it was revealed that Shrewsbury Crown Court was having to delay a rape trial for nearly a year after being told there was no barrister available in the country to prosecute the case.

“In so many cases, the lives of police officers are being dictated to by court hearings,” said Barry.

“Due to the ongoing backlog, court bookings are sometimes being made two years in advance now and whatsmore, officers are required to block book time out in case those court hearings take place. It’s no surprise that officers are so hesitant about booking holidays, just in case they are called to court.

Barry Horton chair of West Mercia Police Federation

“What we’re also seeing is officers being called to court at short notice or with their pre-booked holiday not taken into consideration. In cases like these, they often feel the pressure to postpone or cancel their time off, which might mean they miss out on time with their family and loved ones.

“And then guess what happens? More often than not, the case is adjourned or cancelled. This can be for multiple reasons, with one of the main issues at the moment being a lack of barristers available.

“This is a typical example of police officers always taking the hit. And it’s completely unfair and totally acceptable.

“Why should officers sacrifice their pre-booked and pre-planned holidays and annual leave because of issues concerning the CJS?”

Barry said he could list ‘hundreds of examples’ of when he has been told of this happening to members.

“This is having a massive impact on members,” continued Barry.

“As well as worrying about booking holiday, so many are also finding that their childcare is being impacted. Being shift workers, officers with kids have to be really organised when it comes to childcare - especially if their partners in the job too.

Being called to court at short notice and then being told the case is adjourned can cause major problems, and cost the officer money for unexpected childcare.

“This is such a big issue, and not just for officers but for the victims too. Imagine the emotional impact this is having on victims, who are being messed around by court dates.

“It’s costing the system money, it’s affecting the wellbeing of so many and it’s taking up so much unnecessary time.”

Barry explained he believes one of the solutions is allowing officers to pre-book their annual leave up to 18 months in advance, at all times. As it stands, officers currently need to wait until October to book any holiday for the next financial year.

“Let’s say I wanted to take advantage of the New Year sales and book a holiday now for June 2025, I won’t be able to actually book my annual leave until this October. If I could book it now though, 18 months in advance, neither myself nor the CPS would have any uncertainty about when I was going to be off,” he said.

“And of course, the shortage of barristers is clearly a huge issue that needs to be addressed.”