Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Sitting day allocations for Courts and Tribunals

24 February 2026 · Ministry of Justice

Proposed by David Lammy Lab Tottenham

Justice & CourtsLocal Government

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

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At a glance

Key points

  • The Ministry of Justice will provide 2,785m in total funding for HMCTS for the financial year 2026/27.
  • Financial constraints on Crown Court sitting days will be removed, with an aim to increase magistrates' court sitting days over the next three years.
  • The settlement aims to address caseload backlogs and enable long-term planning for the courts and tribunals.

Issue summary

The statement addresses the allocation of sitting days and funding for HMCTS for the financial years 2026/27 through 2028/29.

Action requested

The Ministry of Justice will provide £2,785m in total funding for 2026/27, removing any financial constraints on Crown Court sitting days and increasing magistrates' court sitting days over the next three years. This settlement aims to address caseload backlogs and enable long-term planning.

Key facts

  • £2,785m of total funding for 2026/27.
  • £2,498m fiscal resource and £287m in fiscal capital funding for 2026/27.
  • Crown Court backlog exceeds 79,000 cases.
  • Uncapping the sitting day allocation for the Crown Court for 2026/27.
  • Funding an allocation of 125,800 sitting days for magistrates’ courts in 2026/27, increasing to a target of 131,000 days by 2028/29.
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