Sarah Sackman warns victims face devastating delays as backlog rises 8% year-on-year
The backlog of cases waiting to be heard in the Crown Court has exceeded 80,000 for the first time, prompting warnings that the criminal justice system is under severe strain.
Latest figures from the Ministry of Justice show there were 80,203 outstanding cases at the end of last year, representing an 8% increase on the previous year and more than double the pre-pandemic level of around 38,000 cases in 2019.
Courts minister Sarah Sackman said: “With a record-breaking backlog of over 80,000 cases, the crown court is on the brink of collapse.
“The scale of this crisis has left victims bearing the brunt of years of neglect, facing devastating delays.
“Through pragmatic reform, historic investment and increased efficiency, we are pulling every lever at our disposal to drive down the backlog.
“Victims have waited long enough and we will deliver the swift, fair justice they deserve.”
The backlog has risen steadily over recent years despite increased sitting days and additional investment, reflecting sustained pressure from higher case receipts and delays across the criminal justice system.
Separate parliamentary material confirms the open caseload has continued climbing through 2025 and into 2026, with victims in some cases waiting three to five years for trials to take place.
The situation represents a continuation of a longer-term trend. Official figures show the Crown Court backlog stood at around 79,619 cases by September 2025, already close to record levels before the most recent increase.
Stakeholders have repeatedly warned about the consequences of prolonged delays for victims, witnesses and defendants. Campaigners say uncertainty surrounding trial dates can extend trauma and weaken confidence in the justice system.
Government projections suggest that without further structural reform the backlog could continue rising, potentially reaching 100,000 cases within the next few years.
Responding to the latest figures on delays in the courts, Mark Evans president of Law Society of England and Wales said, “Sustained financial investment and system‑wide reform are needed to tackle the appalling backlogs in the Crown Court and magistrates’ courts,”
He said, ‘While the Courts and Tribunals Bill progresses, cutting jury trials would do little to ease the backlog. The statistics show that moving more cases from the Crown court to the magistrates’ court is not the answer, as magistrates are already overwhelmed and facing growing delays of their own.’