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Independent Review of the Criminal Courts
12 December 2024
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Ministry of Justice
TAGS
At a Glance
Issue Summary
The statement addresses the increasing backlog in the UK's Crown Court system and announces an independent review to address systemic issues.
Action Requested
I have asked Sir Brian Leveson to conduct a review of the criminal courts, focusing on reforming case handling processes and improving operational efficiency through new technologies. The review aims to deliver swifter justice by examining court use, intermediate courts, and technological advancements.
Key Facts
- The Crown Court caseload has risen to around 73,000 cases from 38,000 in December 2019.
- Victims are waiting up to six years for some trials.
- There are sixteen Nightingale courtrooms across seven venues in use.
- Approximately 1,000 judges and tribunal members are being recruited annually.
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