Can the gargantuan court backlog be fixed?

Just like London buses, you wait ages for a criminal justice review – and then three come along at once. First came the announcement of a sentencing review, led by former Conservative justice secretary David Gauke. Then there was a homicide review, to be conducted by the Law Commission. Now there will be a review of the criminal courts, with Sir Brian Leveson in charge.

Billed as a ‘once in a generation’ review, the aim is to come up with ‘bold’ ideas to tackle the bulging backlog of trials in Crown Courts across England and Wales. The latest figures show there are over 73,000 outstanding cases, almost double the number five years ago, and the trajectory, officials warn, is for the total to surpass 100,000 within the next five years unless urgent measures are taken to address the delays. 

The new government has pulled various levers already. It has increased the number of days judges in Crown Courts can sit this year by 500 to 106,500, – though the judiciary have complained this should have gone further.