Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Deferred
MoJ's ambition to reduce the Crown Court backlog is contingent on the Leveson Review.
Conclusion
When asked about its current ambition for the level of open Crown Court cases, MoJ said that the crucial factor in achieving a reduction in the backlog is the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts (the Leveson Review), which MoJ expects will provide a fundamental assessment of the reforms it can make in the longer term.19 The Lord Chancellor commissioned this review in December 2024, asking Sir Brian Leveson to consider: • long–term options for criminal court reform, with the aim of reducing demand on the Crown Court by retaining more cases in the lower courts (the inquiry’s terms of reference include six specific reform options for the review to consider); and • the efficiency and timeliness of processes through charge to conviction or acquittal.20
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the Committee's perspective, stating that work is already underway to prepare for a swift response and implementation of recommendations from the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts once received in July 2025, and that MoJ is actively considering implementation plans for proposed reform options.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
1.5 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: July 2025 1.6 Without pre-empting its report, work is already underway to ensure swift response to and implementation of recommendations from the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts once received. 1.7 The MoJ is actively considering the implementation plans which would be required for the options for reform, as set out in the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts’ Terms of Reference.