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Justice Secretary David Lammy has confirmed that the existing limit on court sitting days will be removed in an effort to address the growing backlog of criminal cases. This change will see all crown courts across England and Wales receive funding to handle as many cases as possible throughout the upcoming year. Lammy also indicated plans to introduce reforms aimed at increasing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to help alleviate the current backlog, which stands at approximately 80,000 cases.
The Criminal Bar Association described the removal of the cap as a “brave and significant first step,” welcoming the move while emphasizing that further measures are necessary. They highlighted the importance of recruiting and retaining criminal barristers and solicitors to support a smoother operation of the justice system. Despite this positive reception, the proposed bill has yet to be formally presented to Parliament.
This announcement follows Lammy’s December decision to eliminate jury trials for offenses likely to result in sentences of less than three years in England and Wales. Speaking on Tuesday, Lammy stressed the urgent need to tackle the delays that victims continue to face: “This government inherited a justice system on the brink of collapse with victims facing unacceptable delays and we took immediate action to increase sitting days to deliver fairer and faster justice for victims.” He added, “But victims still face intolerable delays. That is why I have agreed with the judiciary to fund unlimited sitting days in the Crown Court next year so they can sit at their maximum and so we can turn the tide on the backlog as quickly as possible.”
The Ministry of Justice emphasized that allowing judges to hear as many cases as the system permits will ensure “more victims see justice done – and more offenders face the full force of the law.” The government has allocated £2.7 billion for courts and tribunals over the next year, increasing from £2.5 billion the previous year. While these developments signal progress, the Criminal Bar Association reminded that there is still “further work to do to give effect to this change,” including addressing the recruitment and retention challenges among legal professionals.
Meanwhile, Sir Brian Leveson, a retired senior judge, has released two reports commissioned by ministers aimed at tackling the backlog issue, which had reached record levels prior to the current government but has since worsened. Lammy also detailed plans for establishing “swift courts” designed to address the unprecedented delays, calling the reforms “bold” but “necessary.” However, these moves have invited criticism from Conservatives, who have labeled the proposals as the “beginning of the end of jury trials.
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