Statement from Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, on the publication of Part Two of Sir Brian Leveson’s Independent Review of Criminal Courts

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said: 

“Our courts are in crisis and thousands of victims are waiting far too long to get justice. That's why I have been clear that a programme of modernisation, investment, and reform is needed to help deliver justice which is both fairer and faster.

“Efficiencies alone are not a silver bullet, but making the system more efficient and saving time across the board is a vital part of a wider package to tackle the problem of victims suffering for years for their cases to be heard.

“We inherited a creaking justice system struggling with the burden of modern crime and using digital technology in order to make courts more efficient will be a central pillar of our approach to modernisation.

“I want to thank Sir Brian and the review team for their hard work developing solutions to solve the crisis in our courts. We have already confirmed that we are taking forward reforms based on his first recommendations, and we will urgently consider the proposals set out today and respond to them in the coming weeks.”