Bold modernisation of the criminal courts to put victims first and restore public confidence in the system.
The government will today unveil what it describes as the most far-reaching overhaul of the criminal courts in a generation, with a drive to put victims at the centre of the justice system and rebuild trust amid soaring delays.
With almost 80,000 Crown Court cases still waiting to be heard — a number projected to hit 100,000 without urgent intervention — the Deputy Prime Minister will warn Parliament of a “courts emergency” that is leaving victims waiting years for justice and eroding confidence in the system.
More than half a billion pounds will be directed towards specialist victim and witness support over the next three years, including a £550 million package for services such as counselling and guidance for individuals attending court. Officials say the investment, the largest of its kind, will help charities provide crucial emotional and practical assistance so victims feel able to continue with their cases. Evidence shows such support increases the likelihood that victims stay engaged, ultimately resulting in more convictions and more dangerous offenders being removed from communities.
The reforms form part of the government’s response to Sir Brian Leveson’s Independent Review of the Criminal Courts. Measures to be set out today will:
- Modernise court processes to cut delays and boost efficiency;
- Introduce faster routes for lower-level cases, similar to models used in Canada;
- Strengthen judicial control over case progression;
- Enhance support for victims, particularly in rape and serious sexual offence cases;
- Free up Crown Court time for the swift handling of the most serious crimes.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, David Lammy MP, said:
“Today I am calling time on the courts emergency that has left victims of the most serious crimes waiting years for justice and pushed the justice system to the brink of collapse.
For many victims, justice delayed is often justice denied. Some give up on the process, while others have no confidence justice will be served if they report a crime, and perpetrators never held to account.
The system we inherited has led to a Crown Court backlog due to hit 100,000 outstanding cases by 2028. Behind each of those cases is a victim who has been forced to put their life on hold while they wait desperately for justice.
This simply cannot go on — we must be bold. I will set out a fast and fair justice plan that gives victims and survivors the swift justice they deserve.”
Currently, some victims are waiting up to four years for their case to reach court, and more than 10% of adult rape cases collapse because the victim withdraws. Fewer than half of victims believe they will receive justice, according to the latest Victims Survey. Over a quarter of Crown Court cases remain open for a year or more — nearly half of them involving violent or sexual offences.
On the £550 million investment, the Deputy Prime Minister said: “This funding provides a lifeline for anyone who has experienced or witnessed crime. You are not alone — please reach out for support if you need help.
I want to thank the dedicated people running these services. Your work is vital in supporting victims and central to our mission to halve violence against women and girls.”
Further investment will also ensure judges can continue to sit record numbers of Crown Court sitting days throughout this Parliament. The government says this builds on the additional 5,000 sitting days already provided, and that its ambition is to reach historic highs by the end of the Parliament.
These reforms follow previous actions taken by the government, including:
- Securing £450 million per year of additional court funding;
- Extending magistrates’ sentencing powers from six to 12 months;
- Increasing court maintenance funding to almost £150 million.
To strengthen the criminal Bar, the government will match-fund a number of pupillages to expand opportunities for aspiring criminal barristers, improve diversity in the profession and secure a sustainable pipeline of future advocates.
Legal professionals will also benefit from significant extra investment: up to £34m a year for criminal legal aid fees for advocates, alongside an up to £92m rise in solicitor fees announced on Monday 1 December. The government says this will reinforce the independent Bar — “those hard-working professionals who defend and prosecute” — and support the workforce that underpins the courts.
Today’s measures form a central part of the government’s pledge to make streets safer by reducing the court backlog, speeding up hearings, and restoring public confidence in the criminal justice system.