Overview

• Ministry of Justice data show the open caseload reached 78,329 at the end of June, up 2% from March and 10% year on year.
• A record 19,164 cases had been open for at least a year, underscoring prolonged waits for trials.
• Violence cases made up 31% of the backlog, sexual offences 17% and drug offences 14%, with marked annual rises in violence and sexual cases.
• The government says it has invested heavily as it prepares a formal autumn response to Leveson’s review, which proposes fewer jury trials and new judge-led crown courts.
• Magistrates’ courts also hit a record 361,027 outstanding cases, highlighting pressures across the system.