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More trials will be heard as Deputy Prime Minister funds an
extra 1,250 Crown Court sitting days
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Funding will help more cases to be heard this year, speeding
up justice for victims
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Part of this Government's Plan for Change to get the justice
system back on its feet
Victims will get faster justice thanks to the courts sitting
for a record number of days, the Deputy Prime Minister will
announce in a speech today at the opening of the legal year
(Wednesday 1 October).
The Crown Court will be able to sit for a total of 111,250 days
next year – up by 5,000 compared to last year and
reaching the highest levels on record. This follows an
announcement from the Deputy Prime Minister later today that
the government will fund an extra 1,250 days.
This will mean more trials can be heard – tackling the
backlog of cases, making sure victims see their day in court more
quickly and holding more criminals to account.
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice,
, said:
"The Crown Court backlog we inherited stands at over 78,000 and
behind each case is a real person, waiting years for justice.
“That is why we are acting with the biggest investment on
record as part of our Plan for Change. An additional 1,250
sitting days will be allocated to the Crown Court this financial
year, allowing it to hear many extra cases.
“We know there is more to do, and generational reform that cannot
wait, but this investment will help ease the torment and bring
swifter justice to many more victims."
While extra sitting days will help to bring the backlog down
in the short-term, only major reform will address the crisis in
our courts.
Statistics released last week showed that there are now 78,329
Crown Court cases waiting to be heard. This means that victims
are often waiting three or four years for their case to come to
trial.
Sir Brian Leveson is conducting an Independent Review of the
Criminal Courts to identify ways to reform the courts system. The
first phase of his review has already been completed - the Deputy
Prime Minister is carefully considering its proposals and the
Government will respond in due course.
The review forms part of the government's commitment to safer
streets by reducing the court backlog, speeding up hearings for
victims and defendants, and rebuilding public confidence in the
criminal justice system.
