Written questions by Dowden.

Whether his Department issues sentences for trial of the facts cases involving sexual offences.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he plans to review the sentencing guidelines for under-16s year olds found guilty of rape and sexual assault.

Awaiting answer.

If he will take steps to expedite rape and sexual violence cases so that victim do not wait more than six months for their case to be heard in court.

Awaiting answer.

What steps his Department is taking to reduce court delays for victims of sexual violence.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of court delays on the mental wellbeing of victims of sexual violence in Hertsmere constituency.

Awaiting answer.

What steps are being taken to protect the public from a person if they are found unfit to stand trial but was found to have done the act in a trial of the facts.

Awaiting answer.

How many people have been found unfit to stand trial in each year since 2015.

Awaiting answer.

What conversations has his Department had with the Legal Services Board over the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s ability to regulate the professional conduct of solicitors and Law firms in England and Wales.

The legal profession in England and Wales, together with its regulators, operates independently of Government. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible for regulating the professional conduct of solicitors and most law firms in England and...

What discussions his Department has had with the Solicitors Regulation Authority on the support available for trainee solicitors experiencing issues with their training providers.

The Ministry of Justice regularly engages with the SRA on the effective operation of the legal services regulatory framework. This has included engagement with the SRA regarding the training and qualification requirements for solicitors and how these requ...

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the support available for trainee solicitors.

The Ministry of Justice regularly engages with the SRA on the effective operation of the legal services regulatory framework. This has included engagement with the SRA regarding the training and qualification requirements for solicitors and how these requ...

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the current regulatory structure for the professional conduct of solicitors and Law firms in England and Wales.

The legal profession in England and Wales, together with its regulators, operates independently of Government. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible for regulating the professional conduct of solicitors and most law firms in England and...

What discussions his Department has had with the Solicitors Regulation Authority on cultural issues within the profession.

The legal profession in England and Wales, together with its regulators, operates independently of Government. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible for regulating the professional conduct of solicitors and most law firms in England and...

What discussions his Department have had with the Solicitors Regulation Authority on the adequacy of the level of its resourcing.

The legal profession in England and Wales, together with its regulators, operates independently of Government. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible for regulating the professional conduct of solicitors and most law firms in England and...

What discussions his Department has had with the Solicitors Regulation Authority on potential steps to improve regulatory performance.

The legal profession in England and Wales, together with its regulators, operates independently of Government. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible for regulating the professional conduct of solicitors and most law firms in England and...

What discussions his Department has had with the Solicitors Regulation Authority on an independent assessment process for trainee solicitors.

The Ministry of Justice regularly engages with the SRA on the effective operation of the legal services regulatory framework. This has included engagement with the SRA regarding the training and qualification requirements for solicitors and how these requ...

If his Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of the timescale permitted for a second post-mortem examination.

Once a death has been reported to a coroner, the deceased person’s body remains in the legal control of the coroner until released for burial or cremation. During this time, decisions relating to the body, including on whether to order a post-mortem examination or permit a second post‑mortem examination, are a matter for the coroner as an independent judge.The Chief Coroner has provided guidance for coroners which makes clear that, where a second post‑mortem examination is permitted, it should be carried out as quickly as possible following the first examination and, unless there are exceptional circumstances, within 28 days of the death being reported to the coroner. The coroner must inform the deceased person’s next of kin or personal representative if the body cannot be released for burial or cremation within this period.

If he will take steps to reduce the timescale allowed for a second post-mortem examination.

Once a death has been reported to a coroner, the deceased person’s body remains in the legal control of the coroner until released for burial or cremation. During this time, decisions relating to the body, including on whether to order a post-mortem examination or permit a second post‑mortem examination, are a matter for the coroner as an independent judge.The Chief Coroner has provided guidance for coroners which makes clear that, where a second post‑mortem examination is permitted, it should be carried out as quickly as possible following the first examination and, unless there are exceptional circumstances, within 28 days of the death being reported to the coroner. The coroner must inform the deceased person’s next of kin or personal representative if the body cannot be released for burial or cremation within this period.

If she will take steps to increase levels of transparency in litigation funding.

The Government recognises the critical role third-party litigation funding plays in ensuring access to justice.Following the PACCAR judgment, concerns have been raised about the need for greater regulation of the litigation funding market, including the potential need for greater transparency in relation to Litigation Funding Agreements.The Civil Justice Council is considering these matters as part of its review of litigation funding, which will conclude in summer 2025. The Government will take a decision on further steps regarding litigation funding once the report and its recommendations have been received.