Crown court judges in England and Wales are set to sit for a record number of days in the upcoming financial year as part of a Government initiative to tackle the growing backlog of cases. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has confirmed that judges will collectively sit for 110,000 days—an increase of 4,000 days compared to the previous allocation—to ensure that victims see justice delivered more swiftly.
The decision comes in response to mounting concerns about the severe delays in crown court cases, which have been exacerbating the trauma experienced by victims. The Victims Commissioner released a report on Tuesday, highlighting how the backlog has left many victims feeling that justice is “out of reach.”
Simultaneously, a report from the Public Accounts Committee raised concerns that ministers had “simply accepted” the record-high backlog and were waiting for the findings of the Leveson Review before implementing any significant reforms. The major review, led by Sir Brian Leveson, is expected to propose changes to the court system in the spring.
Growing backlog and government response
The backlog of crown court cases in England and Wales has nearly doubled in five years, reaching 73,105 cases by the end of September 2023. Addressing this crisis, Ms Mahmood said:
“This Government inherited a record and rising courts backlog, with justice delayed and denied for far too many victims. Bearing down on that backlog is an essential element of our Plan for Change, bringing offenders to justice to keep our streets safe.
“Funding a record number of sitting days is a critical first step. But there is more that we must and we will do.
“I have asked Sir Brian Leveson to consider radical reforms to deliver the swifter justice that victims deserve.”
Beyond crown court cases, additional sitting days will be allocated to immigration and asylum tribunals, bringing them close to full capacity to help speed up asylum claim processing.
Investment in court repairs and new facilities
Alongside the increased number of sitting days, the Government has confirmed a rise in funding for court repairs and maintenance. The budget will increase from £120 million last year to £148.5 million this year. This funding will be used to address structural issues in courts across the country, including repairs for reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) at Harrow Crown Court, which has been closed since August 2023. Other repair works will include fixing leaking roofs and restoring out-of-order lifts.
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Additionally, funding will be allocated to the construction of new courts, such as a 30-hearing room tribunal centre at Newgate Street in London and a county and family court in Reading.
Legal community’s response
Reacting to the Government’s announcement, Richard Atkinson, President of the Law Society of England and Wales, welcomed the increase in sitting days and maintenance funding. However, he stressed that these measures still fall short of what is necessary to address the crisis fully.
“But sitting days are still not at the maximum the Lady Chief Justice has said is possible to achieve.
“While the funding increase for court maintenance is only a small fraction of the £1.3 billion repairs backlog for courts and tribunals reported by the National Audit Office.”
Future reforms and challenges
While the increase in judicial sitting days and maintenance funding is a step forward, legal experts argue that systemic reforms are necessary to tackle the backlog effectively. Many are awaiting the recommendations of the Leveson Review, which is expected to propose structural changes to improve the efficiency of the justice system.
Until then, victims and defendants alike will continue to face long delays, with many cases taking years to reach court. The Government’s latest measures indicate an effort to address the crisis, but whether they will be sufficient remains to be seen.
