Backlog of court cases hits its highest level for 15 months as more than 414,000 are waiting to be heard
- The number of cases headed for trial in Crown Court hit 63,408 at end of June
- Backlog follows the coronavirus pandemic and the lengthy barristers’ strike
The courts backlog has reached its highest level for 15 months with more than 414,000 cases waiting to be heard.
The number heading for trial in Crown Court hit 63,408 at the end of June, up slightly on the previous month, figures from HM Courts and Tribunal Service showed yesterday.
There were also 350,693 cases prepared for magistrates’ courts in England and Wales. That means the total outstanding stood at 414,101, leaving the victims of crime facing years of delay before they could have justice.
It was the highest figure since March last year, when it was at just over 417,000.
The Ministry of Justice has set a target to cut the Crown Court backlog to 53,000 by March 2025 but progress over recent months has gone into reverse. It follows a build-up of cases during the pandemic and a lengthy barristers’ strike.
The Ministry of Justice has set a target to cut the Crown Court backlog to 53,000 by March 2025
It follows a build-up of cases during the pandemic and a lengthy barristers’ strike
The Criminal Bar Association started industrial action in April last year in a pay dispute with the Government. It was resolved in September but led to a sharp rise in the delays.
The impact of the Home Office’s police recruitment drive could also be having an effect on the new figures, as a higher numbers of officers lead to more arrests and prosecutions.
The new figure came as Justice Secretary Alex Chalk announced the courts will be permitted to work at ‘maximum capacity’ for the third year in a row.
He said his department will impose no limits on the number of sitting days.
Mr Chalk also revealed court buildings will get £220 million for modernisation and repair work over the next two years.
He added: ‘This Government knows victims want to see justice served as quickly as possible and so we are making sure Crown Court judges can hear as many cases as possible this year.
‘We have a world-leading justice system and a legal sector that is a cornerstone of our economy and we should have modern, fit-for-the-future court buildings that reflect these high standards.’
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