Streatfeild Committee on the Business of the Criminal Courts
Encyclopedia
The Streatfeild Committee on the Business of the Criminal Courts was a British committee set up to investigate the workings and process of the criminal courts in England and Wales
. Its report and recommendations led directly to the Criminal Justice Administration Act 1962
.
The report discussed the long process of criminal trials, concluding that it was due to the large number of cases and slow processes in every part of the criminal courts. A Home Office Research Unit attached to the Committee showed that 5,000 criminal cases a year (almost a quarter of the total number) had to wait at least eight weeks for a criminal trial, with 400 of those waiting at least sixteen weeks. Their recommendations fell into two categories; jurisdictional reform and reorganisation of the courts. The major recommendation was that many burglary and theft offences, such as breaking and entering with a view to steal, should be tried as summary cases at the Magistrates' Court
s. As well as other minor extensions to the Magistrates' jurisdiction, the Report also recommended allowing Quarter Sessions
to try more cases. In terms of reorganisation, the Report proposed that Quarter Sessions sit permanently rather than four times a year, allowing them to get through a greater number of cases.
England and Wales
England and Wales is a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom. It consists of England and Wales, two of the four countries of the United Kingdom...
. Its report and recommendations led directly to the Criminal Justice Administration Act 1962
Criminal Justice Administration Act 1962
The Criminal Justice Administration Act 1962 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that modified the jurisdiction and process of the English criminal courts.-Act:...
.
Committee and Report
The Committee was established in June 1958, and was given the job of reviewing "the present arrangements in England and Wales (a) for bringing to trial persons charged with criminal offences and (b) for providing the courts with the information necessary to enable them to select the most appropriate treatment for offenders". The Committee consisted of nine people, including (as well as lawyers) sociologists and psychologists. Their report was made in 1961.The report discussed the long process of criminal trials, concluding that it was due to the large number of cases and slow processes in every part of the criminal courts. A Home Office Research Unit attached to the Committee showed that 5,000 criminal cases a year (almost a quarter of the total number) had to wait at least eight weeks for a criminal trial, with 400 of those waiting at least sixteen weeks. Their recommendations fell into two categories; jurisdictional reform and reorganisation of the courts. The major recommendation was that many burglary and theft offences, such as breaking and entering with a view to steal, should be tried as summary cases at the Magistrates' Court
Magistrates' Court
A magistrates' court or court of petty sessions, formerly known as a police court, is the lowest level of court in England and Wales and many other common law jurisdictions...
s. As well as other minor extensions to the Magistrates' jurisdiction, the Report also recommended allowing Quarter Sessions
Quarter Sessions
The Courts of Quarter Sessions or Quarter Sessions were local courts traditionally held at four set times each year in the United Kingdom and other countries in the former British Empire...
to try more cases. In terms of reorganisation, the Report proposed that Quarter Sessions sit permanently rather than four times a year, allowing them to get through a greater number of cases.