Minister Admits Court Backlogs 'Absolutely Dire' and Set to Worsen
Justice Minister Sarah Sackman KC has issued a stark warning that the UK's court backlog is in an "absolutely dire" state and will deteriorate further before any improvement is seen. The admission comes as the government, led by Justice Secretary David Lammy, pledges a comprehensive overhaul of the judicial system to address a spiralling crisis that has left thousands of cases unresolved.
Backlog Projected to Hit 100,000 Cases
Currently, the backlog stands at 80,000 cases, but modelling predicts this will surge to 100,000 next year and could reach 200,000 by 2035 if no action is taken. Ms Sackman KC candidly acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating, "Things get worse before they get better, but they do begin to get better by the end of this parliament under this plan. By my reckoning, this will hit 100,000 cases before we begin to see a reduction in the backlog."
She emphasised the human cost behind these numbers, noting that each case represents victims, defendants, and lives put on hold. "The situation is absolutely dire," she added, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
Government Unveils Three-Pillar Reform Strategy
Ministers have outlined a three-pillar approach to tackle the backlog, focusing on reform, investment, and modernisation. While acknowledging there is "no silver bullet," they believe these measures can curb the crisis. If fully implemented, projections indicate the backlog could be reduced to 83,000 by the end of the current parliament and fall below 50,000 by 2035.
Ms Sackman KC stressed the government's commitment to putting victims at the centre of efforts, but levelled with them about the timeline for improvement. "The scale of the crisis that we inherited and which is growing is not going to change overnight, but we are pulling every lever," she said. "By the end of this parliament, they'll start to see heading in the right direction, so they can have confidence that the government is doing everything it can. But it will take the best part of a decade for their trials to improve."
Key Reforms and Investments
The reforms include lifting the cap on crown court sitting days, a move supported by a £2.785 billion settlement for courts and tribunals in 2026/27, up from £2.538 billion the previous year. An additional £287 million will be invested in repairing the crumbling court estate.
Digital modernisation is also a cornerstone of the plan, with Justice Secretary David Lammy advocating for greater use of AI and technology in the courts. In a speech at the Microsoft AI Tour in London, he backed sweeping changes to enhance efficiency.
Controversial Changes to Jury Trials
As part of the overhaul, Mr Lammy has proposed scrapping jury trials for so-called either-way cases that carry a likely jail sentence of three years or less. This includes offences such as burglary, threats to kill, affray, and theft. However, serious crimes like murder, robbery, grievous bodily harm, and rape will continue to be heard before juries.
The government aims to implement these reforms by 2028, hoping they will provide a long-term solution to the backlog. Ms Sackman KC summed up the challenge, stating that the system requires "nothing short of throwing the kitchen sink" at it to achieve meaningful change.
