Crown Court Backlog Reaches Record High in UK

The Crown Court system in England and Wales is facing a significant crisis, with a backlog of over 73,000 cases as of September 2024, more than double the figure from five years ago. Victims are experiencing wait times of two to five years for trials, leading to calls for urgent reforms. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood acknowledged that this situation is unprecedented and emphasized the need for innovative solutions, which may include the establishment of 'intermediate courts' to alleviate the burden on existing courts. Newly appointed justice minister Sarah Sackman echoed these concerns, stating that the backlog could escalate to over 100,000 cases if not addressed. Additionally, there have been discussions about potentially scrapping jury trials for certain cases to expedite the justice process. The Ministry of Justice has commissioned Sir Brian Leveson to conduct a review aimed at addressing these systemic challenges.