The Crown Courts in England and Wales face an impending crisis as their backlog could surge to 100,000 cases unless there is a comprehensive overhaul of the criminal justice system, warns Anthony Rogers, Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

Currently, the backlog stands at 71,000, with prosecutors handling upwards of 100 to 200 cases each, surpassing previous records and concerns.

Despite a planned funding increase of 5.6% annually from 2023-24 to 2025-26, Rogers criticizes it as insufficient to alleviate the mounting crisis.

He suggests radical reforms, such as re-evaluating which cases proceed to Crown Court and contemplating judge-only trials, could stem the rising tide.

As magistrates are enabled to impose longer sentences, pressure is alleviated from Crown Courts, a measure not without controversy particularly among barristers.

Amidst this, the government’s goal to reduce the backlog to 53,000 by March 2025 appears unattainable according to the National Audit Office, challenging the Ministry of Justice’s efforts despite additions of court sitting days and extended magistrate powers.

An ongoing sentencing review offers some hope, yet it fails to provide immediate relief from the pressing backlog.

Victims are increasingly withdrawing from trials due to delays, with one third reportedly dropping out.

Rogers emphasizes the high remand prisoner population, 17,662 in number, exacerbates CPS burdens, jeopardizing timely case management and reflecting unmet justice needs.

While the CPS and SFO deliver notable services, workforce experience deficits and funding shortages threaten quality standards, he highlights.

As the government grapples with the inherited and escalating backlog, stakeholders call for urgent, effective solutions over incremental measures.