In a decisive move to address a staggering backlog of over 80,000 criminal cases, Justice Secretary David Lammy has announced the removal of limits on court sitting days across all crown courts in England and Wales. This initiative, which comes as part of a broader strategy to enhance the efficiency of the criminal justice system, aims to expedite the resolution of cases and alleviate pressure on legal professionals and the judiciary alike.
Funding Boost for Crown Courts
The government has committed to funding crown courts to operate without restrictions on sitting days in the upcoming financial year. This announcement follows collaborative discussions with the Lady Chief Justice, Sue Carr, and is seen as a critical step towards rectifying deep-seated delays within the system. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) previously indicated plans to increase crown court sitting days to 111,250 this year, a figure projected to rise to 113,000 due to this new directive.
This funding boost is part of a £2.8 billion settlement for courts and tribunals for the fiscal year 2026/27, an increase from £2.5 billion the previous year. Included in this package is £287 million earmarked for capital investments aimed at refurbishing aging court facilities, a necessary step given the current state of many court buildings.
Legal Community Reactions
The Criminal Bar Association has expressed strong support for the government’s decision, with chairs Riel Karmy-Jones KC and Andrew Thomas KC describing the lifting of the cap as “a brave and significant first step.” They emphasised that this measure is crucial for all stakeholders in the criminal justice system, including complainants and defendants, as it directly addresses the backlog and delays that have plagued the courts.
However, while the Law Society acknowledges the funding as a positive development, it cautions that it may not be sufficient to fully resolve the backlog or address underlying infrastructure issues. Fiona Rutherford, chief executive of the advocacy group Justice, welcomed the reforms but warned against using this announcement as a pretext for reducing jury trials, which she argues would undermine public trust and increase the risk of miscarriages of justice, particularly for vulnerable communities.
Future Reforms on the Horizon
David Lammy is expected to unveil further reforms aimed at improving the efficiency of the criminal justice system, which may include remote hearings as highlighted in the second part of Sir Brian Leveson’s review. “I have agreed with the judiciary to fund unlimited sitting days in the crown court next year so they can sit at their maximum and so we can turn the tide on the backlog as quickly as possible,” Lammy stated.
He reiterated that while financial investment is essential, it must be accompanied by practical reforms and modernisation of the system to deliver timely justice effectively.
Why it Matters
The lifting of the cap on crown court sitting days represents a pivotal moment for the UK’s criminal justice system. With the backlog threatening the timely resolution of cases, this initiative not only seeks to restore faith in legal processes but also addresses the urgent need for structural reforms. The success of these measures will be closely monitored, as they could set a precedent for how the government approaches justice system challenges in the future, ultimately impacting the lives of countless individuals caught in legal limbo.
