Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to ensure that all judges who hear rape cases have attended and completed a relevant course accredited by the Judicial College.

Under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 the responsibility for judicial training rests with the Lord Chief Justice and is exercised through the Judicial College. Since 2002, all judges who hear cases involving serious sexual offences have to be first authorised and are required to attend the specialist training provided by the Judicial College before hearing such cases. Listing, which is a judicial function, ensures that cases are allocated to those who are authorised and trained.