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UK Lifts Court Sitting Days to Tackle 80,000 Case Backlog

2/24/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Justice Secretary David Lammy announced that the cap on crown court sitting days will be lifted to tackle a backlog of more than 80,000 criminal cases.
Funding will rise from £2.5 billion to £2.8 billion for 2026/27, including £287 million for court repairs.
Criminal barristers view the move as crucial, but the Law Society cautions it may not fully resolve the backlog, and concerns about cuts to jury trials persist.

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Story summary

Justice Secretary David Lammy announced that the cap on crown court sitting days will be lifted to tackle a backlog of more than 80,000 criminal cases.
Funding will rise from £2.5 billion to £2.8 billion for 2026/27, including £287 million for court repairs.
Criminal barristers view the move as crucial, but the Law Society cautions it may not fully resolve the backlog, and concerns about cuts to jury trials persist.