Conclusion 25

We asked about the decision not to reduce the court backlog of criminal cases. The Ministry opted to reduce its allocation of court sitting days next year and therefore limit the number of judges available to sit in court, and court sessions. This will maintain the number of outstanding criminal cases in the backlog at the same level.51 The Ministry told us that it was a conscious decision to keep the backlog at existing levels, rather than direct funds to reduce it, although it keeps this strategy under routine review.52 HMCTS said that average waiting times for trials are the lowest in four years. However, those who plead not guilty are still waiting more than half a year—28 weeks—to get a trial, with those on bail waiting 21 weeks. Similarly those on remand are waiting almost 13 weeks in prison. Whilst HMCTS noted that this was the lowest for four years, both it and the Ministry acknowledged waiting times were a concern.53 49 Qq 46–48 50 Q 46 51 Q 50; https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/crown-court-sitting-days-decision-political-senior-presiding- judge/5101368.article 52 Q 50 53 Qq 52–54 Transforming Courts and Tribunals: progress review 15