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UK Expands Blitz Courts to Tackle 80,000 Case Backlog

4/10/2026

26 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The UK government is expanding blitz courts in England and Wales to hear multiple cases in a day and address a growing backlog.
The backlog stands around 80,000 and could exceed 200,000 by 2035, funded by a £2.7 billion package to speed court proceedings.
Justice Secretary David Lammy's proposal to remove jury trials has drawn criticism from the Criminal Bar Association.

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Story summary

The UK government is expanding blitz courts in England and Wales to hear multiple cases in a day and address a growing backlog.
The backlog stands around 80,000 and could exceed 200,000 by 2035, funded by a £2.7 billion package to speed court proceedings.
Justice Secretary David Lammy's proposal to remove jury trials has drawn criticism from the Criminal Bar Association.