Landmark Review proposes sweeping overhaul of inefficient justice system

• Over 130 recommendations to tackle inefficiency in the justice system and speed up justice for victims

• Sir Brian Leveson concludes efficiency measures alone are not “sufficient" to tackle the court backlog

• Recommendations aim to increase collaboration between criminal justice agencies and end siloed decision-making

Sir Brian Leveson has today (4 February 2026) unveiled proposals to tackle the widespread operational inefficiencies in the justice system that are leaving victims waiting years for justice.  

Tasked with rescuing a system on the brink of collapse, Sir Brian Leveson has completed the Review in two parts. Part One of Sir Brian's Independent Review of the Criminal Courts put forward a set of structural changes to alleviate pressure on the system. The second part of the report published today (4 February) proposes over 130 recommendations to drive efficiency across the criminal justice system. This is a package of reforms: the crisis in the courts can only be addressed through structural reform, additional funding and operational efficiency measures.   

The Review found that previous efforts to address systemic inefficiency have failed because of the siloed nature of the criminal justice systems and the lack of cross-system accountability to take forward any reform.  

Sir Brian Leveson, Chair of the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, said:  

"I have never seen pressure on the courts at such an unacceptable level - the system stands on the brink of collapse. Victims, witnesses and defendants are waiting months, sometimes years, for cases to come to trial – unable to move on with their lives.  

“System-wide inefficiency is undermining the ability of the criminal courts to function, exacerbating the strain caused by the demanding caseload. Part Two of my Review sets out how the system can confront the deep-rooted operational issues that have been allowed to persist – strengthening collaboration, overhauling governance and harnessing technology to drive meaningful change.  

“But there is no silver bullet. The Review represents a package of reforms: efficiency and funding alone are not enough – only alongside structural reform can we address, and hopefully overcome, the crisis in our justice system”  

The sweeping changes recommended by the former senior judge complete a package of reforms to put criminal courts back on a sustainable footing. Sir Brian Leveson's comprehensive analysis of the system leads him to conclude that both structural reform, efficiency measures and funding are vital to deliver the swift access to justice victims deserve. 

Key recommendations include:  

• Reducing delays at the very start of the process by ending the practice of police wasting hours redacting case files before sharing with the CPS for a charging decision.

• Increasing collaboration between criminal justice agencies, including through encouraging early engagement between Police and CPS, and CPS and defence, to make sure that when a case comes to court, it is ready to be heard. 

• Making better use of court capacity by introducing a National Listing Framework for the Crown Court to deliver a more efficient system for allocating where cases are heard while making it easier for cases to be moved between local boundaries where possible. 

• Making better use of technology and data to augment processes and drive innovation – including greater use of video hearings. 

• Addressing funding in the justice system to ensure a strong legal workforce is retained and proper investment in alternatives to prison. 

• Ensuring the punctual arrival of defendants to court by making sure prisoners are located near the court where they are being tried alongside better data and co-ordination between courts and prisons. 

• Driving coordination across criminal justice agencies through the appointment of a Prime Minister's Criminal Justice Adviser 

The proposals aim to address the operational, behavioural, and cultural barriers undermining the entire system's effectiveness – with recommendations spanning the whole system including His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the Police. 

While the Review recommends immediate implementation of key proposals put forward, it recognises that some recommendations require significant funding and time to implement.  

ENDS 

Notes to editors: 

• Between 2013 and 2019, Sir Brian Leveson was President of the Queen's Bench Division.  He practiced at the bar before being appointed to the High Court bench in 2000 and the Court of Appeal in 2006.  He has held the posts of Senior Presiding Judge, Chair of the Sentencing Council and, latterly, Head of Criminal Justice. 

• The Independent Review of the Criminal Courts was announced on 12 December 2024. 

• Part One of the Independent Review of Criminal Courts was published on 9 July 2025.  

• The review team has conducted over 200 meetings with criminal justice partners and received more than 230 submissions from interested parties.