More victims will see justice thanks to an extra 2,000 Crown
Court sitting days announced by the Lord Chancellor today
(Tuesday 17 December).
This will see courts sit for a total of 108,500 days this year –
the highest figure in almost a decade – helping to tackle the
court backlog, as the Government ploughs ahead with bold and
ambitious reforms to tackle the ongoing crisis in the Crown
Court.
The backlog in our courts has been growing significantly since
the pandemic and currently stands at over 73,000 cases, delaying
perpetrators having their day in court and victims getting
justice.
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice,
, said:
“It is vital we do everything we can to bring down the backlog of
cases and ensure victims see justice sooner, and these extra
sitting days are another step towards that.
“But we know more must be done, which is why I have asked Sir
Brian Leveson to undertake his review and make recommendations
for significant reform of our courts system as part of this
Government's wider Plan for Change.”
This is the latest step in the Government's efforts to cut the
backlog, deliver for victims and drive down the record remand
population.
As well as adding more sitting days, the Government is also
planning once-in-a-generation reforms of the courts system.
Earlier in the month, it was announced that Sir Brian Leveson
will be conducting an independent review into the criminal
courts, to identify major reforms.
These reforms could include “intermediate courts”, where cases
too serious for magistrates' courts but not serious enough for
the Crown Court could be heard by a judge, flanked by
magistrates.
The plans form part of the Government's commitment to safer
streets by reducing the court backlog, speeding up trials for
victims, and rebuilding public confidence in the criminal justice
system.
Further information:
- The Lord Chancellor had already
increased the number of sitting days agreed by the previous
Government, from 106,000 to 106,500 in September 2024.
- The review into criminal
courts will be led by Sir Brian Leveson, a former High
Court Judge and a previous President of the Queen's Bench
Division.
- In October the Government
doubled sentencing
powers for magistrates' courts in order to divert 2,000
cases away from the Crown Court and to ease pressure on the
remand population in our prisons
- Fees for criminal legal aid work in
police stations and youth courts have been increased
by £24 million
- The government also announced its
intention to consult on an increase to civil legal
aid fees for housing and immigration cases
