The British government faces a severe backlog in its court system, with a courts minister stating it could take nearly 300 years to clear cases to pre-pandemic levels. The closure of courts during Covid-19 lockdowns has significantly worsened the situation, doubling the crown court’s caseload. Proposed solutions include abolishing jury trials for most offenses, a move criticized by legal groups as detrimental to civil liberties.

• Record numbers of victims are experiencing lengthy delays, with some cases waiting over two years.
• The current backlog includes over 80,000 cases in crown courts and over 370,000 in magistrates’ courts.
• Covid-19 lockdowns are identified as a primary cause for the soaring wait times.
• The government is considering abolishing jury trials for all but the most serious offenses to expedite case processing.
• Legal organizations and civil rights groups have condemned the proposal to end jury trials.
• Critics allege that political decisions, such as prosecuting online speech and releasing prisoners, are contributing to the justice system’s strain.