The backlog of cases in criminal courts has continued to rise according to figures released today - which also show the immigration and asylum backlog has risen by 75% in a year. 

The number of outstanding cases in the Crown courts stood at 68,125 at the end of April, up from 60,760 at the same time last year, a 12% increase.

Magistrates courts have also seen a rise from 338,866 cases outstanding in April last year to 387,042 at the end of April this year, a 14% increase.

The figures from HMCTS also showed increases in the following areas:  

  • The employment tribunal’s open caseload increased from 35,840 at the end of April last year to 40,856 at the end of April this year, a 14% increase.
  • The immigration and asylum open caseload increased from 30,872 at the end of April last year to 54,059 at the end of April this year, a 75% increase. 
  • The social security and child support open caseload increased from 67,096 at the end of April last year to 80,045 at the end of April this year, a 19% increase.

Nick Emmerson, Law Society president, said: ‘It is alarming to see the criminal court backlogs continue to spiral. It is unacceptable that victims, witnesses and defendants are having to wait so long, with their lives in limbo, to access justice. The criminal justice system is in crisis with huge backlogs of cases, crumbling courts and overcrowded prisons.

‘There simply are not enough judges and lawyers to work on all the cases and we have heard concerning reports that court buildings are not being used to their full capacity.’

Emmerson said a recent report by the National Audit Office had highlighted a decline in the number of lawyers working in criminal defence, which he said is due to a reduction in legal aid fees, increasing levels of stress and poor working conditions.

‘It also rightly pointed to the dilapidated state of much of the court estate and the failure to deliver prisoners to court on time as factors which only add to the delays’, he added.

‘Sustained investment across the criminal justice system must be a priority for the next UK government.’

 

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