Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy has unveiled a comprehensive set of reforms aimed at revamping the UK’s court system to reduce delays in delivering justice to victims. Lammy emphasized the urgency to modernize the courts, labeling the existing system as outdated and inefficient. He defended his proposal to limit jury trials for defendants facing shorter sentences, stressing the importance of prioritizing victims in the justice process.

Lammy highlighted the risk of the courts backlog reaching 200,000 cases by 2035 if significant changes are not implemented promptly. As part of the reform package, “Blitz” courts will be expanded nationwide, grouping similar cases for more efficient use of court resources. In London, these courts will initially focus on cases related to assaults on emergency workers, with plans to extend to drug possession and commercial burglary cases.

To address delays in transporting inmates to courtrooms, prison vans will be permitted to utilize bus lanes in more locations. Additionally, they will employ technology to expedite travel, similar to emergency vehicles that can change traffic lights to green. Lammy emphasized the importance of leveraging new technologies like AI to streamline court processes, reduce complexities, and enhance case progression.

Moreover, Lammy announced the removal of restrictions on sitting days in Crown courts under a substantial £2.8 billion settlement with the judiciary. He pledged to establish a National Listing Framework to ensure consistency in court scheduling and eliminate disparities in the justice system across different regions. Lammy urged MPs to consider the reforms collectively, emphasizing the need to prioritize victims, particularly vulnerable individuals.

The Ministry of Justice’s projections indicate a backlog of 100,000 cases in Crown Courts by 2028, with the reforms expected to reduce this figure to under 50,000 by 2035. Victims’ Commissioner Claire Waxman supported the reforms, highlighting the detrimental impact of long court waits on victims’ participation in the justice process. Courts Minister Sarah Sackman acknowledged the slow pace of trial improvements and assured victims of ongoing government efforts to address these challenges.

Labour MP Karl Turner expressed concerns over the proposed changes to jury trials, citing a lack of evidence linking juries to the backlog issue. Richard Atkinson from the Law Society welcomed the increased court sitting days but cautioned against overreliance on AI without adequate safeguards. He emphasized the importance of sustained funding for court capacity and the legal profession to ensure lasting reform and maintain public trust in the justice system.