Summary
The court system in England and Wales is facing a big problem with a backlog of over 79,600 criminal cases. This delay is mostly due to cuts in funding since 2010 and impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. The government is working on solutions, including changing how some trials are conducted, to try and fix this issue.
Key Facts
- Over 79,600 criminal cases are backlogged in England and Wales.
- The backlog in Crown Court is expected to reach 100,000 by 2028.
- Serious crimes charged now might not go to trial until 2030.
- Government reforms may include removing juries from some trials.
- A significant rise in case length occurred after 2010 due to budget cuts.
- By 2022, eight Crown Court centers and over 160 magistrates' courts were closed.
- Judge days were reduced to cut costs, leaving some courtrooms unused.
- COVID-19 closures and social distancing caused further delays.
