Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy is set to announce a suite of radical measures today, aiming to address what he calls a "courts emergency" that has pushed the justice system to the brink of collapse.
The Scale of the Crisis
Official figures reveal a record-breaking backlog of 78,000 crown court cases, with some trials now scheduled as far ahead as 2030. Mr Lammy warned that these extreme delays have led some victims to abandon the legal process altogether or doubt that reporting a crime will lead to action, allowing perpetrators to evade accountability. He starkly stated that for many, "justice delayed is often justice denied," adding, "This simply cannot go on - we must be bold." Some projections suggest the backlog could swell to 100,000 cases within the next three years if no action is taken.
Controversial Reforms on the Table
The proposed reforms are expected to draw heavily on recommendations from former senior judge Sir Brian Leveson. A central, and contentious, proposal involves restricting jury trials to the most serious offences, known as "indictable-only" cases, such as murder, rape, and manslaughter. This could also apply to serious and complex fraud cases. The majority of other criminal cases would be diverted to magistrates' courts, with judges given greater control over proceedings.
While Mr Lammy has rejected claims he intends to "scrap" jury trials—insisting he wants to "save" the system—the plan has sparked immediate concern. The Law Society of England and Wales labelled it an "extreme measure" that may do little to clear the backlog. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick accused Labour of exacerbating the problem, citing 21,000 missed court sitting days this year alone and a 10% increase in the backlog since the election.
Funding and Further Measures
Alongside the potential trial reforms, Mr Lammy will announce a £550m funding package for victim support services over the next three years. Incoming victims' commissioner Claire Waxman welcomed the cash as a "necessary step" but cautioned it was "not a silver bullet" for the sector's wider crisis.
Other planned actions include additional sitting days in crown courts and a match-funding scheme to support young people beginning careers as criminal barristers. Tom Franklin, chief executive of the Magistrates' Association, said measures to speed up justice were "worth considering - as long as they balance efficiency with quality of justice."
The Ministry of Justice notes that close to half of the backlogged cases relate to violent and sexual offences, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution for the most vulnerable victims.
