header-logo header-logo

Court backlog breaks record

18 October 2023
Issue: 8045 / Categories: Legal News , In Court
printer mail-detail
The Crown Court backlog has hit a record high of more than 65,000 cases, the latest figures reveal

HM Courts and Tribunal Service data released last week show 65,004 cases were outstanding in the Crown Court in August, up from 60,580 in August 2022. The backlog in the magistrates’ courts also rose, to 353,700 in August from 343,842 in August 2022.

Nick Emmerson, Law Society president, said: ‘Our courts are so overwhelmed with cases that victims and defendants are having to wait years for cases to come to trial. There aren’t enough judges and lawyers to handle the number of cases in the system, and the court estate is crumbling. The only answer is urgent investment across the whole criminal justice system.’

Issue: 8045 / Categories: Legal News , In Court
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll