Courts facing crisis as delays surge and judges targeted by online abuse
The Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales has warned that court backlogs remain at “all-time high” levels, as she outlined mounting pressures on the justice system during her annual press conference.
Speaking on 17 March 2026 at the Royal Courts of Justice, she said courts and tribunals continue to operate in “pressurised environments” while dealing with increasingly complex and high-profile cases.
She confirmed that delays across the criminal courts remain a significant concern, with Crown Court and Magistrates’ Court backlogs reaching record levels. The number of defendants on remand awaiting trial has also risen sharply, with around 17,700 individuals currently waiting for cases to be heard.
Despite increased productivity, she acknowledged that the system is struggling to keep pace with demand. Courts are now completing more cases daily than in recent years, but incoming cases continue to rise, creating sustained pressure on capacity.
The Lady Chief Justice warned that delays are having a direct impact on victims and witnesses, particularly in serious cases. She noted growing concerns about “attrition rates”, where victims withdraw from proceedings due to prolonged waiting times.
She welcomed the Government’s decision to remove limits on Crown Court sitting days and allow magistrates to sit to full capacity, stating that the judiciary is “ready, willing, and able” to use the additional flexibility to reduce delays.
Alongside operational pressures, she raised concerns about judicial safety, particularly in light of proposals for increased use of judge-only trials. She said she had “grave security concerns” about such changes, emphasising the risks associated with judges regularly attending the same court locations.
The judiciary has already taken steps to strengthen security, including the creation of a Judicial Security Task Force and improved coordination with police forces. However, she stressed that further resources and safeguards would be required if reforms proceed.
The Lady Chief Justice also highlighted a rise in online abuse targeting judges, describing an increase in “racist” and “misogynistic” attacks on social media. She said tackling this trend forms part of a broader effort to maintain public confidence in the justice system.
On wider reforms, she confirmed that the judiciary continues to play an operational role in implementing legislative changes, including new sentencing frameworks and court procedures. She emphasised the need for a clear and coordinated implementation plan to manage the volume of reforms affecting courts, prisons and probation services.
While acknowledging the scale of current challenges, she expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to adapt, citing ongoing work on modernisation, digital systems, and judicial training.
She concluded that although progress has been made, significant work remains to address delays, improve efficiency, and ensure the justice system continues to operate effectively.