The Crown Court backlog has hit its highest point yet, with 64,709 outstanding cases
Overall, there was an increase of 4% on the previous quarter. Moreover, a record 6,427 Crown Court cases have been delayed for more than two years, while 17,649 had been outstanding for a year or more, according to the latest figures, published last week.
The magistrates’ court backlog is also up, with a 2% rise to 345,285 outstanding cases.
‘What this means is that delays are compounded,’ said Law Society President Lubna Shuja.
‘There are crumbling courts, overwhelmed prisons and a chronic shortage of lawyers and judges. People seeking justice—victims, witnesses, and defendants—are left in limbo waiting longer and longer to see it happen.’
The government target is to reduce the Crown Court backlog to 53,000 by March 2025.
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