Overhaul for London courts

Ministers are considering a major overhaul of the courts system in London amid widespread concern that many cases are collapsing before they come to trial.

The Government has set up an unprecedented review of the capital's criminal justice system to try to ensure that police, prosecutors, magistrates and judges work together more effectively.

A new committee chaired by Solicitor General Harriet Harman will oversee reform of magistrates' and crown courts. Chief officers will examine long delays in bringing suspects to court. Recent reports have said there are not enough experienced lawyers in the Crown Prosecution Service and that the CPS and police fail to coordinate case management.

There is a growing problem with the intimidation of witnesses, with hundreds of cases collapsing in London every week because witnesses are too scared to give evidence.

Ms Harman told a recent gathering of inner London magistrates that improving resources and management was not enough, and that everyone must work together and avoid a "blame culture".