Huge change to courts as main restriction to be lifted to chop backlog
Deputy PM David Lammy – who is also the Justice Secretary – has agreed a £2.785billion settlement with the judiciary to fund unlimited sitting days in the Crown Court
David Lammy will make a major speech on courts reform in London on Tuesday(Image: PA)
Crown courts will be able to hear as many cases as possible as a limit on sitting days will be axed.
Deputy PM David Lammy – who is also the Justice Secretary – last night announced he has agreed a £2.785billion settlement with the judiciary to fund unlimited sitting days in the Crown Court next year so they can sit at their maximum.
It is up from £2.538bn last year and includes a £287million investment in the court estate for vital repairs and digital upgrades. The magistrates’ courts will also be funded to its highest operational capacity.
READ MORE: Judges urged to embrace AI to cut courts backlog in major David Lammy speech
Mr Lammy will make a major speech on courts reform in London on Tuesday as he sets out plans to cut the backlog and put victims at the heart of the justice system.
He will set out a raft of operational changes to modernise the creaking justice system amid a backlash over his plans to reduce jury trials. The Mirror reported that Mr Lammy is expected to encourage judges to embrace AI to help fix the backlog.
Around 80,000 cases are waiting to be heard on the record Crown Courts backlog, with cases in some parts of the country being listed for trial as late as 2030.
Last night Mr Lammy said victims are still facing “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,” he said.
“Investment alone will not be enough to deliver timely justice – which is why it has to be combined with our pragmatic reforms and modernisation.”
Law Society of England and Wales president Mark Evans said: “Lifting restrictions on Crown Court sitting days and funding Magistrates’ Courts to their highest operational capacity is a step in the right direction from the UK government.
“To make this effective, the government must ensure there are enough judges, court staff, prosecutors and defence lawyers to work on the cases. It must also overcome issues such as prisoners not being delivered to court on time. Lessons on efficient scheduling of cases can be learned from courts that are operating well.”
