- Labour announces court modernisation reforms that will put victims in Portsmouth at the heart of the justice system
- Deputy Prime Minister has warned of a “courts emergency” as backlog could reach 100,000 by 2028
In recent days, the Deputy Prime Minister set out the most sweeping modernisation of the criminal courts in a generation as the Government responds to Sir Brian Leveson’s Independent Review of the Criminal Courts.
With the Crown Court backlog approaching 80,000 cases and projected to reach 100,000 without urgent action, the Deputy Prime Minister has warned of a “courts emergency” that is leaving victims waiting years for their day in court.
The Deputy Prime Minister has announced reforms in Parliament that will bring the system back from the brink of total collapse and regain the trust of both victims and the public.
To better support victims the Government will invest £550 million over the next three years into specialist services to offer practical and emotional support to victims and witnesses, such as counselling and advice attending court.
This multi-year package – the largest ever provided – means charities and service providers will have the financial certainty they need to plan for the future, keep pace with rising costs, and protect capacity to continue delivering essential support.
Commenting on the announcement, Stephen Morgan MP for Portsmouth South said:
“It is unacceptable that victims of some of the most serious offences are having to wait years before being provided with justice.
“Families across Portsmouth have shared the pain and frustration felt from delays in their trials. In many cases, these are people who just want to be able to finally move on with their lives.
“Justice should not seem out of reach to those who rightly deserve it, but years of underinvestment from the previous Government has resulted in a sever courts backlog that is preventing any kind of resolution for so many people.
“The Deputy Prime Minister’s reforms will finally put this right, ensuring that victims are at the heart of our court system.”
Announcing these reforms, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy said:
“I am calling time on the courts emergency that has left victims of the most serious crimes waiting years for justice and pushed the justice system to the brink of collapse.
“For many victims, justice delayed is often justice denied. Some give up on the process, while others have no confidence justice will be served if they report a crime, and perpetrators never held to account.
“The system we inherited has led to a Crown Court backlog due to hit 100,000 outstanding cases by 2028. Behind each of those cases is a victim who has been forced to put their life on hold while they wait desperately for justice.
“This simply cannot go on – we must be bold. I will set out a fast and fair justice plan that gives victims and survivors the swift justice they deserve.”
“This response will form part of the Government’s commitment to safer streets by reducing the court backlog, speeding up hearings for victims, and rebuilding public confidence in the criminal justice system.”
