Waiting times for murder and rape cases to come to trial halved in 2002, the Court Service annual report showed today.
The average waiting time fell to 12 months compared to two years in 2001 despite the Central Criminal Court recording an increase of 25 cases before it in 2002. The figure for 2001 was 31.
The chair of the Courts Service Mrs Justice Susan Denham said the third annual report "tells the story of the continued rejuvenation and modernisation of the administration and management of the courts."
She said that the service still faced considerable challenges despite recent investment.
There were 683,316 matters before the courts last year which is 11 per cent up on 2000 but a levelling off on 2001's 18 per cent increase.
Describing the service as a "dynamic corporation" which compares favourably with systems in other jurisdictions, Mrs Justice Denham pointed out the progress made in providing for people with disabilities.
Wheelchair facilities at nine more courthouses have been built and technology to assist the hard of hearing and visually impaired has also been deployed. The improvements benefit both members of the public and employees with disabilities, she added.