Under a major review launched today the Justice Secretary will set out plans to help victims who are left waiting years for justice as the Crown court backlog reaches a record high
Jury trials could be ditched for some defendants as new government figures show the Crown court backlog reaching a record high.
Data released by the Ministry of Justice today reveals the number of cases waiting to be dealt with by Crown courts hitting a new high of 73,105 in September. Ministers are alarmed the backlog could hit the 100,000 threshold without major reforms to the courts system, which is currently stretched to “breaking point”.
The crisis has triggered the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood to launch a major review of the courts that will set out plans to help victims who are left waiting years for justice. The “once in a generation” review will be led by the ex-High Court judge Sir Brain Leveson, who chaired the 2012 public inquiry into the British press.
He is expected to advise ministers on moving some cases from the Crown courts, which deal with the most serious offences, to magistrates’ courts. Sir Brian, who will report back in spring 2025, has been told no option is off the table.
Plans will also be examined for an “intermediate court” which could be staffed by a judge and two magistrates. His review could involve recommendations to reclassify some offences and remove jury trials for some crimes. This will not involve scrapping juries for the most serious offences.
Justice Secretary Ms Mahmood said: “The scale of the Crown court crisis inherited by this Government is unprecedented. Despite the efforts of judges, lawyers and court staff, we simply cannot continue with the status quo.
“To deliver the Government’s bold Plan for Change and make our streets safer, we require once-in-a-generation reform of a court system stretched to breaking point.
“In many cases, victims are waiting years to see their perpetrator put before a judge, and we know for many victims, justice delayed is as good as justice denied.”
She added: “We owe it to victims to find bold, innovative approaches that will speed up justice, deliver safer streets and send a clear message to criminals that they will quickly face the consequences of their actions.”
Sir Brian added: “I am pleased to contribute to the important task of seeking to address the very real difficulties facing the criminal justice system. A challenge of this scale requires innovative solutions and I look forward to making my recommendations to the Lord Chancellor in due course.”