Recommendation 8

MoJ has previously introduced measures to address the backlog, including those within the 2021 Criminal Justice Action Plan.17 MoJ described current work to manage the Crown Court caseload, including: • Increasing the number of sitting days to 108,500 this year. • Supporting the physical capacity of the courts estate by maintaining Nightingale courts. • Running recruitment rounds for circuit judges and recorders. • Increasing magistrates’ sentencing powers from six months to 12 months.18