The National Audit Office (NAO) has determined that the government’s goal of reducing unprecedented criminal court backlogs in England and Wales cannot be achieved, citing impacts on victims and case risks. The NAO highlights a lack of action from a minister-led board, revealing that it did not convene for a two-year period despite the crisis.
With 67,573 cases awaiting resolution in Crown Courts and delays worsening due to factors like pandemic closures and lawyer disputes, the target set by ministers to reduce the backlog to 53,000 by March 2025 is deemed unattainable. Instead, officials project a reduction to 64,000 by the same deadline, though no formal target exists. Victims face an average wait of 22 months from an offence to a verdict, exacerbating concerns of case collapses and impacting mental well-being.
The report underscores systemic challenges exacerbated by prison overcrowding, with 16,000 individuals awaiting trial or sentencing, a 50-year record. The NAO’s findings echo longstanding concerns within the criminal justice system, highlighting the absence of a clear solution amid ongoing crises. Tana Adkin KC, Chair of the Criminal Bar Association, emphasized the lack of sustained investment and planning despite repeated warnings. The Ministry of Justice responded, citing increased court sessions, remote hearings, Nightingale courts, and judge recruitment as efforts to address the issue.
