Crown courts across England and Wales are facing an unprecedented backlog, with the number of outstanding cases soaring to a record high of more than 80,000.
Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures, published on Thursday, reveal that 80,203 cases were awaiting resolution at the close of last year.
This marks an 8 per cent increase from the 74,106 recorded in the preceding 12 months.
The current figures represent more than double the level seen in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic, when 38,108 cases were outstanding.
The number of cases open for at least a year stood at a record 21,002 in December, up 27% from 16,584 at the end of 2024, the MoJ said.
Figures obtained by the Press Association under freedom of information laws show 2,600 crown court trials in England and Wales are not listed until at least 2028, with 29 not due to be heard until 2030.
Cases in the backlog include more than 200 rape trials, according to the MoJ court listings records as of January 29.
Courts minister Sarah Sackman said: “With a record-breaking backlog of over 80,000 cases, the crown court is on the brink of collapse.
“The scale of this crisis has left victims bearing the brunt of years of neglect, facing devastating delays.
“Through pragmatic reform, historic investment and increased efficiency, we are pulling every lever at our disposal to drive down the backlog.
“Victims have waited long enough – and we will deliver the swift, fair justice they deserve.”
This escalating crisis comes after the Government announced plans to scale back jury trials as part of court reforms, a measure intended to address the growing backlog within the justice system.
David Lammy’s plans would limit jury trials to cases where a sentence of three years or more is likely, with these instead being heard by a single crown court judge.
Additionally, magistrates’ courts would gain the power to handle cases with a potential sentence of up to two years.
The Deputy Prime Minister previously warned MPs of the “stark” choice as he argued, “we cannot continue with this rising backlog”. He told MPs the proposals were “progressive”, and if no action was taken, the backlog could reach 200,000 cases in a decade.
A significant number of Labour backbenchers criticised the proposed reforms, including Kingston upon Hull East’s MP Karl Turner who branded the changes “unworkable, unpopular, unjust and unnecessary”.
