New Practice Direction introduces a national framework for criminal court listings
A new Practice Direction on Listing will introduce the first national framework for listing criminal cases across England and Wales, with the aim of improving consistency, prioritising cases and reducing delays in the criminal justice system. The new measures were announced by the Judiciary on 6 July 2026 and will come into effect on 1 October 2026.
The Practice Direction establishes a judiciary-led approach to listing Crown Court cases. It directs judges to prioritise cases by taking account of the human impact that delays can have on victims, defendants and witnesses while ensuring fairness throughout court proceedings.
The framework was developed by a working group of the Criminal Courts Improvement Group, led by Lord Justice Edis. It introduces a standardised approach to listing Crown Court cases across England and Wales, replacing variations in practice with a consistent national framework.
Under the new arrangements, Crown Court judges will actively monitor cases and take part in structured pre-trial processes to ensure that trials are listed only when they are ready, or expected to be ready. The Judiciary said the approach is intended to reduce ineffective trials and improve the management of criminal cases.
The Practice Direction also requires each of the over 70 Crown Court centres in England and Wales to produce a local listing plan that complies with the national framework. These plans will be published to improve transparency for court users and the public. They are also intended to strengthen engagement between courts and the legal professions while ensuring that listing decisions are based on accurate and up-to-date information.
The measures extend to magistrates’ courts, where listing arrangements are already more consistent. The Judiciary said further changes may follow as new governance arrangements are introduced for that jurisdiction.
Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, said minimising the impact of delay on victims, defendants and witnesses is the guiding principle behind the new national approach. She said the Practice Direction would help deliver greater fairness, consistency and efficiency in the listing of criminal cases while supporting efforts to reduce the backlog. She also thanked those involved in developing the new framework, particularly Lord Justice Edis for leading the work.
Alongside the new Practice Direction, the Judiciary has also published new Crime Guidance on Remote Participation, which will also take effect on 1 October 2026. The guidance provides a national framework for the use of live video links in criminal proceedings to support efficient case management, reduce delays and improve access to justice while ensuring remote participation is used appropriately in the interests of justice. Together, the two measures are intended to improve fairness, reduce delay and strengthen confidence in the criminal justice system.