Sir Brian Leveson has today (9 July) published the first report
of his Independent Review of the Criminal Courts.
The Law Society of England and Wales is calling for sustained
investment across the criminal justice system in order for
reforms to succeed.
“This root and branch review shines a light on how decades of
neglect of the criminal justice system mean this vital service is
failing the public. Justice delayed is justice denied,” said Law
Society president Richard Atkinson.
“The report clearly demonstrates the entire system needs funding
and how the recommendations outlined are an opportunity to
prevent full system collapse and in the longer term bring the
justice system back onto a sustainable footing.
“The proposed new division of the Crown Court on its own will not
solve the Crown Court backlog. The government would have
undermined our historic jury system for no effect. Only
investment in the whole system has any chance of success - from
when a criminal prosecution starts in the police station, and at
all stages before a Crown Court case.
“Without sustained long-term investment in the system dealing
with both demand on the courts and the capacity of the courts,
the government will simply be shifting the Crown Court backlog to
the Magistrates' Court backlog and creating another backlog in
the new division.
“We are pleased that Sir Brian recognises the central role of
solicitors in providing vital, early legal advice so the right
cases are diverted away from courts, leaving capacity to deal
with more serious offences. But this will need additional
investment in legal aid on top of the recent uplift, given
decades of underfunding.
“The recommended measures must be kept under review with thorough
data collection to show that radical reform, including the loss
of jury trials, is working and worth it, and that public trust in
the system is not diminished. If the government cherry-picks the
recommendations, they will be denying justice to our communities.
“Public confidence in the rule of law is strengthened by a
functioning criminal justice system which can deliver swift
justice for all.”
Notes to editors
- The Crown Court backlog reached 76,957 by the end of March
2025 and the Magistrates' Court backlog reached 310,304. See
here.
- See our response to the
Independent Review of the Criminal Courts call for evidence.
