The backlog grew 3% in the third quarter (July to September 2023), according to government figures published this month. Nearly 18,000 of these cases (17,790) have been outstanding for at least a year.
The backlog in the magistrates’ courts has also risen—the figures show it is up 3% on the previous quarter, to 352,945 outstanding cases.
The government’s target is to reduce the Crown Court backlog to 53,000 by March 2025.
The Law Society has also highlighted that 1,063 people have been remanded in custody awaiting trial for at least two years—a record-breaking high which reflects a 932% increase in the past three years.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: ‘The increase in the number of people on remand for long periods awaiting trial is extremely concerning.
'Criminal defence solicitors are crucial to help tackle the huge backlogs in our courts, but they are becoming more and more scarce as the work is not financially viable. The existing lack of court staff overall is exacerbating the crisis.'
