Snaresbrook Crown Court is currently facing an unprecedented backlog, with 4,185 cases waiting for trial as of January 31, 2025. This makes it the busiest court in England and Wales by a significant margin, with a backlog 45% larger than that of the second busiest, Wood Green Crown Court.
Just a year earlier, in January 2024, Snaresbrook had 3,286 cases pending. The backlog has since surged, nearly doubling Wood Green’s 2,313 cases. This mounting pressure is pushing the crown courts and the wider criminal justice system to a critical breaking point.
Courts and Legal Services Minister Sarah Sackman KC issued a stark warning: “At its current rate, the national backlog could hit 100,000 cases by 2028—a year earlier than previously predicted.” She added, “Despite the dedication of those in the system, crown courts are struggling. It’s simply unacceptable that victims are waiting years for justice.”
The government has commissioned Sir Brian Leveson to conduct a major review of the court system. The Leveson Review is expected to recommend significant reforms and is due to be published in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Mary Prior KC, head of the Criminal Bar Association, has called for immediate action: “We don’t have the luxury of time. Courtrooms currently closed must be reopened now or victims and defendants risk abandoning their cases altogether.” She emphasized, “Radical reforms will take at least a year. But justice must come in months, not years.”
The backlog crisis is compounded by concerns over prison overcrowding and delays in sentencing. The government is working to implement recommendations from former Justice Secretary David Gauke’s sentencing review to address these issues.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood acknowledged the scale of the challenge, stating, “The sad reality is the backlog will still go up,” even after announcing a record 110,000 judicial sitting days planned for next year.
The growing delays have serious consequences for victims, defendants, and public confidence in the justice system. Legal professionals warn that prolonged waits cause additional trauma and erode trust in criminal courts.
As the Leveson Review approaches, there is mounting pressure for immediate measures to accelerate trials, reduce trauma, and restore faith in the justice system.
If you are affected by delays in the justice system, support is available through Victim Support. You can contact their helpline on 0808 168 9111 for assistance.
Originally published by UKNIP.
