The nation faces a “courts emergency” with nearly 80,000 cases waiting to be heard in the Crown Court, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has warned as he prepares to unveil a controversial overhaul of the justice system this week.
The Government is widely expected to radically reduce the number of cases heard by a jury in a bid to tackle a backlog the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) says subjects victim to “years of torment and delay”.
It is feared the number of cases waiting to be heard in the Crown Court will hit 100,000 by 2028 unless action is taken. More than one in four cases waits a year to be heard – and in London some cases are now being listed for 2030.
Six out of 10 people who report being raped are not pulling out of the process before the trial, and nearly half the open cases are for violent and sexual offences.
This week Mr Lammy, who also serves as Justice Secretary, will set out his blueprint for changes to the criminal justice system. It is expected that only the most serious cases – such as murder, manslaughter and rape – will be heard by a jury.
Today, according to the MoJ, only 42% of victims are “confident they will get justice if they report a crime”.
Mr Lammy said: “We inherited a courts emergency; a justice system pushed to the brink. We will not allow victims to suffer the way they did under the last Government, we must put victims front and centre of the justice system.
“Behind every one of the thousands of cases waiting to go to trial is a human life put on hold. A rape victim being told their case won’t come before a court until 2029. A mother who has lost a child at the hands of a dangerous driver, waiting to see justice done.
“A teenager assaulted on their way to school, consigned to years of delay before they can start to put their life back on track. For many victims, justice delayed is justice denied.
“This Government chooses a system that works for – not against – victims. One that finally gives brave survivors the justice they deserve.”
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “Instead of depriving British citizens of ancient liberties, David Lammy should get his own department in order. The right to be tried by our peers has existed for more than 800 years – it is not to be casually discarded when the spreadsheets turn red.
“Lammy should pull his finger out and get the courts sitting around the clock to get the backlog down. This year alone 21,000 court sitting days have been missed.
“If Rachel Reeves can find billions more for benefits payments, she can find the money to get empty courtrooms sitting.” abour would rather strip you of your rights than strip the state of its waste.
“It’s yet more evidence that this Government is not on the side of the British people.”
