House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Sitting day allocations for Courts and Tribunals
25 February 2026 · Ministry of Justice
Proposed by David Lammy Lab Tottenham
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- HMCTS will receive 2,785m in total funding for 2026/27, including 2,498m in fiscal resource and 287m in capital funding.
- The Crown Court will have uncapped sitting days to reduce backlogs.
- HMCTS has a three-year funding commitment through 2028/29.
Issue summary
The statement addresses the annual sitting day allocations and funding envelope for HMCTS for 2026/27 and future years.
Action requested
HMCTS will receive £2,785m in total funding for 2026/27 (£2,498m fiscal resource and £287m capital funding), with a three-year commitment through 2028/29. The Crown Court will have uncapped sitting days to reduce backlogs.
Key facts
- Total funding for HMCTS in 2026/27 is £2,785m.
- Capital funding increases by 46% compared to the previous year to £287m.
- Crown Court backlog stands at over 79,000 cases.
- Magistrates’ courts allocated 125,800 sitting days for 2026/27, increasing annually.
- Civil justice and tribunals receive 80,200 days with high ambition goals set.
- Family Courts have 96,100 days in the next financial year.
- Three-year funding commitments are made through to 2028/29.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy