Judicial Capacity Shortages
Insufficient numbers of judges and staff leading to significant capacity issues and constraints within the court system.
Source spread
Where this theme appears
This theme appears across 13 independent accountability sources, so the source mix matters as much as the headline total.
8 inquiry recs
5 PFD reports
165 committee recs
1 NAO rec
34 IMB recs
1 IMB report
4 DHR recs
2 PHSO decisions
14 LGO/SPSO decisions
5 CJINI reports
Browse by source
Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Inquiry recommendations(8)
148 — No extension of time for proof
Recommendation: No special provision should be made for extending the time for a proof on the grounds for referral (18.29-30).
Unknown
140 — Immediate recourse to Sheriff
Recommendation: A procedure should be introduced by an amendment to the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 enabling immediate recourse to be made to the Sheriff for a decision on the question whether a child reasonably requires to be in a place …
Unknown
R89 — Review of prosecution system timeliness
Recommendation: The Department of Justice should review the timeliness of the handling of each aspect of the prosecution system that has led to the delay in bringing those accused of causing harm to patients to trial.
No response yet
F285 — Appointment of assistant deputy coroners
Recommendation: The Chief Coroner should issue guidance on how to avoid the appearance of bias when assistant deputy coroners are associated with a party in a case.
Gov response: Accepted. The Chief Coroner will look carefully at the issue of bias, and the appearance of bias, and consider whether guidance or training by the Judicial College could be used to address these concerns.
Accepted
F284 — Appointment of assistant deputy coroners
Recommendation: The Lord Chancellor should issue guidance as to the criteria to be adopted in the appointment of assistant deputy coroners.
Gov response: Accepted. This has been taken forward by the Chief Coroner. Local Authorities are responsible for all coroner appointments with the consent of the Lord Chancellor and the Chief Coroner. The Ministry of Justice and the …
Accepted
JB-15.22 — Training for officers presenting firearms court applications
Recommendation: There should be training of those who are authorised by reason of rank to present such applications at court, and no-one should act as a substitute for a properly authorised person unless they have been appropriately trained. In any event, …
Gov response: We certainly concur in the Inquiry’s recommendation that the relevant Directions should be readily available to police officers. For some years now they have appeared on at least two websites, each of which is accessible …
Accepted in part
JB-15.21 — Amend Criminal Procedure Rules for firearms court applications
Recommendation: There should be an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Rules which govern the process in applications for a firearms presence in court – a requirement for witness statements, sworn evidence and the taping of proceedings should all be included.
Gov response: As explained in the paper, the Criminal Practice Directions made by the Lord Chief Justice presently are under review. If in the light of the Inquiry report the Senior Presiding Judge were to propose the …
Not accepted
IR2-7 — No Exemplary Damages but Court Access Preserved
Recommendation: I recommend that there should be no award for exemplary damages, though it should remain open to a claimant to pursue such a claim in the courts irrespective of whether they make a claim on the scheme.
Gov response: There is no award for exemplary damages, as recommended by the Second Interim Report in recommendation 7.
Accepted
Prevention of Future Deaths reports(5)
Christopher Hutton
Concerns: The coroner noted that the deceased had not commenced an intensive Probation treatment programme, which was part of their sentence, due to high demand and significant backlogs in allocating places.
Response (HM Prison and Probation Services): • HM Prison and Probation Service stated that work was in progress nationally to increase the number of staff delivering sex offender group work. • It noted that the staff … (AI summary)
Responded
Zahra Mohamed
Concerns: The coroner noted concerns regarding the two-week timescale for obtaining and executing Section 135(2) warrants, which creates an ongoing risk of harm to patients during the delay in intervention.
Response (Metropolitan Police Service): • The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) issued guidance on 17th November 2022 for weekly Community Consultation Meetings to explore alternatives before warrant applications. • The MPS created the MHAA RA3 … (AI summary)
Response (HM Courts and Tribunals Service): • HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) re-iterated the arrangements for applications to be made to magistrates’ courts in London. • A meeting was held in July between senior HMCTS … (AI summary)
Responded
Ronald Bainborough
Concerns: The coroner raises concerns about the lengthy timescales for applying for and executing Section 135(1) warrants, noting delays due to limited court hearing slots and time taken to schedule police for execution. This creates a risk of harm to individuals awaiting assessment.
Response (Metropolitan Police Service): • The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has established Community Consultation Meetings to explore alternatives before s.135(1) warrant applications and encourages Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs) to contact mental health policing … (AI summary)
Response (HM Courts and Tribunals Service): • HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) re-iterated its arrangements for routine, urgent, and out-of-hours applications to magistrates’ courts in London. • A meeting was arranged and held in July … (AI summary)
Responded
Frank Ospina
Concerns: The coroner noted a failure to apply Detention Centre Rule 35 for a detainee with suicidal intentions due to a mismatch in understanding between healthcare and the Home Office. Concerns also arose regarding an inappropriate 'closed' visit which prevented physical contact and private conversation.
Response (NHS England): • NHS England's Health and Justice Clinical Reference Group developed and disseminated clinical guidance for Rule 35 and Rule 32 to all Immigration Removal Centre healthcare providers in April 2024. … (AI summary)
Response (Home Office): • Interim guidance for Detention Services Order 09/2016 is being developed to clarify reporting suicidal intentions and indicators for staff. • Officials reviewed closed visits across the estate, issued communications … (AI summary)
Response (Mitie Care and Custody Limited): • Mitie Care and Custody Limited reviewed its policies and procedures for closed visits and issued a Notice to Staff to clarify approval processes and staff responsibilities. • The company … (AI summary)
Responded
Paul Appleby
Concerns: The coroner raises concerns about the Liaison and Diversion Team at Northampton no longer operating a Saturday Court Service, previously covered by an 'On Call' service, noting this absence could risk future deaths.
Response (Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust): • The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for making referrals to Liaison and Diversion services was reissued to those operating Saturday courts. (AI summary)
Responded
Select committee recommendations(165)— showing 50 strongest matches
#126 —
Recommendation: An interesting approach is being tested in Ireland. While their efficacy remains to be confirmed, the mechanisms of the âIntegratedâ Community Service Orders are intended to create incentives for people on probation to engage with rehabilitation and in a range …
Response attribution not verified
#115 —
Recommendation: âIntegratedâ sentences also save time before courts. Dr Guilfoyle explained that if offenders do not successfully complete their integrated CSO, âit does not result in a revocation of the order; they just go back to doing the normal community service …
Response attribution not verified
#11 —
Recommendation: We are surprised by the Home Office’s statement that the IPCO does not have a mechanism for facilitating urgent approvals by Judicial Commissioners outside standard working hours. We therefore encourage the Home Office to engage with the IPCO to see …
#69 —
Recommendation: While we recognise the impact of wider delays in the criminal justice system and of resource constraints within HMRC, we are concerned by the sharp decline in the number of prosecutions for tax fraud in recent years, and the impact …
Response attribution not verified
#7 —
Recommendation: We remain concerned about the resourcing of legacy cases. Our Committee may well revisit this issue if the lack of adequate funding affects the right of access to the courts. (Conclusion, Paragraph 115)
Response attribution not verified
#7 —
Recommendation: The position of the criminal duty solicitor scheme is dire, increasing the risk of miscarriages of justice and negatively impacting the government’s ability to reduce the courts backlog. (Conclusion, Paragraph 34)
Response status not verified
#20 —
Recommendation: We recommend that the government publish the metrics it will use to assess whether the courts are coping with the new demands placed on them by the Renters’ Rights Act and regularly report on their progress. (Recommendation, Paragraph 88) 83 …
Response status not verified
#19 —
Recommendation: We are concerned that the effectiveness of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 could be undermined if courts are not ready and sufficiently resourced to cope with the new demands for housing cases. (Conclusion, Paragraph 87)
Response status not verified
#45 —
Recommendation: It is plausible that judge only trials will prove to be more efficient than jury trials, as the evidence shows they are in Canada. However, to ensure that their operation enhances the overall efficiency of the criminal courts, their introduction …
Response status not verified
#43 —
Recommendation: The government must work with the judiciary to produce an estimate of the amount of judicial time that will be needed to produce judgments in all judge only trials in the Crown Court each year. (Recommendation, Paragraph 152)
Response status not verified
#42 —
Recommendation: Reasoned judgments in the Crown Court will help to make criminal courts more transparent. We accept that in some cases the requirement will not be unduly onerous, but there are likely to be cases where the need to provide a …
Response status not verified
#26 —
Recommendation: The evidence submitted to the Committee indicates that the allocation process in the Crown Court could consume a significant amount of court time and judicial resource. Given that the aim of the bill is to save time in the Crown …
Response status not verified
#10 —
Recommendation: The government must put forward a plan to significantly increase the number of salaried district judges in the magistrates’ court. The Government must also ensure that the pay of legal advisers is matched with comparable legal roles in the public …
Response status not verified
#9 —
Recommendation: We are not convinced that the capacity of the magistrates’ court can be expanded sufficiently to deal with the potential increases in workload that could result from the changes in the bill. It seems unrealistic to propose that 7,000 magistrates …
Response status not verified
#7 —
Recommendation: We can see why the ability to vary magistrates’ sentencing powers according to capacity pressures might be attractive to the government. However, frequent changes to those powers are unlikely to assist magistrates in making consistent and effective allocation decisions. Further, …
Response status not verified
#1 —
Recommendation: Sir Brian Leveson was commissioned by the government to undertake his Independent Review of the Criminal Courts in response to the deepening crisis in the Crown Court. The open caseload has reached a record high of over 80,000 outstanding cases …
Response status not verified
#30 —
Recommendation: The prison population fell during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of the cancellation of jury trials and fewer cases coming through from the courts.67 In March 2020, almost half of all courts were closed and jury trials were paused …
Response attribution not verified
#31 — Increased asylum refusals place acute pressure on immigration and asylum tribunal system.
Recommendation: People who are refused asylum by the Home Office can appeal the decision in the immigration and asylum tribunal, administered by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS). The increased number of refusals brought about by more decisions being made is …
Response attribution not verified
#29 — Missed opportunity to fund maximum court sitting days exacerbated backlog
Recommendation: In evidence to the Justice Committee in November 2024, the Lady Chief Justice described how the concordat agreement with MoJ for 2024–25, agreed under the previous administration, had provided for 106,000 sitting days. She reported that in August HMCTS had …
Response attribution not verified
#26 — Ministry of Justice received substantial funding to tackle Crown Court backlog and expand capacity.
Recommendation: In the 2021 Spending Review, MoJ received an additional £477 million to support recovery across the criminal justice system, including to help reduce the Crown Court backlog which then stood at around 60,000. MoJ also secured an additional £644 million …
Response attribution not verified
#9 — MoJ's ambition to reduce the Crown Court backlog is contingent on the Leveson Review.
Recommendation: 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 …
Response attribution not verified
#8 — Ministry of Justice introduced various measures to address the Crown Court backlog.
Recommendation: 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. …
Response attribution not verified
#4 — Urgently reduce remand numbers to 2019 levels and publish granular remand population data.
Recommendation: The remand population is at its highest number for 50 years, and the length of time some defendants on remand wait for their cases to be heard is disrupting their lives and their families’ lives, and adding to prison overcrowding. …
Response attribution not verified
#3 — Improve data-driven forecasting of Crown Court cases to adapt court system processes.
Recommendation: For some time now, MoJ has been failing to adequately forecast increases in the number and mix of cases being sent to the Crown Court, reducing its ability to plan how the courts system may need to adapt to meet …
Response attribution not verified
#22 — Overall capacity requirements for the family justice system caseload remain undefined.
Recommendation: The capacity required to manage the caseload efficiently on a timely basis, both at a national level, and in each part of the country, has not been set out.46 MoJ argued that there is more than enough capacity in the …
Response status not verified
#21 — Case complexity, administrative landscape, and staff shortages contribute to London court delays.
Recommendation: MoJ and HMCTS told us that cases can take longer in London partly because there are more complicated cases, often with international dimensions. There is also a complicated administrative landscape with 33 different local authorities all doing things differently.44 HMCTS …
Response status not verified
#16 — Public law cases suffer delays from cancelled hearings and excessive hearing numbers.
Recommendation: In public law, 32% of cases had at least one hearing cancelled on the day, which contributes to delays.27 HMCTS told us that the main reason cases are cancelled or adjourned, in over 25% of cases, is non-compliance with what …
Response status not verified
#4 — Clarify required family court capacity and plans to resolve judge and social worker shortages.
Recommendation: Shortages in the number of district judges and social workers are contributing to delays, and to significant regional differences in timeliness of resolving cases. There are wide variations in durations of cases; for example, in December 2024, the average duration …
Response attribution not verified
#18 — Concerns about judicial independence and potential investigatory hierarchy within the Legacy Commission.
Recommendation: The Government’s plans for an enhanced inquisitorial mechanism through the Legacy Commission are seen by some as an improvement on the system introduced by the 2023 Act. We heard there are concerns, however, that they could lead to a hierarchy …
Response attribution not verified
#13 — Civil judiciary no longer an attractive profession, hindering recruitment of high-performing candidates.
Recommendation: While we welcome the recent introduction of location-based advertising for full-time judicial roles, the civil judiciary is no longer an attractive profession. It is vital more is done to attract high performing candidates to the district-bench. (Conclusion, Paragraph 64)
Response attribution not verified
#178 — Significant backlog in adjudication process undermines prison discipline and progression model
Recommendation: The significant backlog in the adjudication process, acknowledged by the Prisons Minister, undermines discipline in prisons. While current policy allows governors to balance punishment with support, we received evidence which shows this is not happening consistently. Some prisoners face no …
Response attribution not verified
#25 — Remand prisoners face lengthy custody with limited options due to court backlogs
Recommendation: It is right that the remand population should not be mandated to participate in the regime, as they have not been found guilty. However, due to the length of time remand prisoners are in custody for due to the court …
Response attribution not verified
#21 —
Recommendation: An interesting approach is being tested in Ireland. While their efficacy remains to be confirmed, the mechanisms of the âIntegrated â Community Service Orders are intended to create incentives for people on probation to engage with rehabilitation and in a …
Response attribution not verified
#45 —
Recommendation: Alongside the introduction of a Single Enforcement Body, an Employment Tribunal which employees can bring their cases to must remain in place. We urge the Government to complete its reforms of the Employment Tribunal System as a matter of urgency …
Response attribution not verified
#8 —
Recommendation: Our inquiry did not focus on the potential effects of AI on the justice system, but witnesses raised some very concerning issues which merit detailed consideration, and might require specific measures going beyond the scope of this inquiry. The system …
#43 —
Recommendation: Expansion of legal aid to inquests is positive, but there may not be capacity in the system for sufficiently qualified and experienced lawyers to do this work. (Conclusion, Paragraph 127)
Response status not verified
#13 —
Recommendation: The government’s immediate priority must be to ensure the protections that are in place against above-market rent increases through the First- Tier Tribunal are functioning effectively. Tenants must have confidence that the tribunal will settle challenges quickly and accurately. To …
Response status not verified
#3 —
Recommendation: The Government has told us that the most appropriate forums for prosecuting individuals are the jurisdictions where the crimes were committed. Given the concerns with regard to fair trial rights, capacity, and resources, we must not rely on other countries …
Response attribution not verified
#28 —
Recommendation: Sir Brian Leveson originally proposed the three-year threshold alongside his recommendation for magistrates’ sentencing powers to be fixed at 12 months. If the maximum is increased to 24 months, cases of up to two and a half years could be …
Response status not verified
#11 —
Recommendation: The Ministry of Justice and HMCTS must publish quarterly statistics on magistrate recruitment, aligned with reporting to the Justice Performance Board. (Recommendation, Paragraph 44) Appeals from the magistrates’ court
Response status not verified
#21 —
Recommendation: There is also no systematic approach for capturing learning from upheld appeals, which could otherwise help reduce avoidable demand and unnecessary pressure on the appeals system.49 These issues have been intensified by pressures on the legal aid system, which the …
Response status not verified
#20 —
Recommendation: Planning across the asylum system has had to respond to shifting pressures at different stages of the process, and departments’ ability to model demand and plan ahead has been limited by the absence of shared data and a single, end-to-end …
Response status not verified
#8 —
Recommendation: The Department’s plan to reduce the Crown Court backlog to 53,000 cases relies on increasing the number of sitting days from 100,000 in 2021–22 to 105,000 in 2022–23, then 106,500 in both 2023–24 and 2024–25.10 HMCTS told us that it …
Response attribution not verified
#3 —
Recommendation: We are not convinced that the Department can recruit enough judges to deliver on its ambition to reduce the Crown Court backlog. Reducing the backlog to 53,000 by March 2025 relies on increasing the number of days that the Crown …
Response attribution not verified
#9 — HMRC completed significantly fewer tax-related prosecutions during the pandemic years.
Recommendation: Over the two pandemic years, HMRC completed around 1,000 fewer prosecutions for tax-related offences than before the pandemic. In 2020–21 and 2021–22, it concluded just 163 and 236 prosecutions respectively, compared with around 700 a year in the two years …
Response attribution not verified
#25 — Home Office makes little progress on VAWG prevention, straining criminal justice system capacity.
Recommendation: The NAO found that, to date, the Home Office has made little progress developing measures to prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG).58 The Home Office told us that it expects that reported rates of VAWG will increase initially due …
Response attribution not verified
#8 — Mean family law case durations remain high with significant regional variations.
Recommendation: In 2024, the mean durations of public law and private law cases were 36 and 41 weeks respectively, significantly higher than the 27 weeks and 26 weeks on average in 2018.10 MoJ and HMCTS told us that the average duration …
Response status not verified
#7 — Family justice backlog remains large despite recent decrease from 2021 peak.
Recommendation: Family justice faced rising demand before the COVID-19 pandemic, with public law receipts peaking in 2017 at 19,389, while private law receipts peaked in 2020 at 55,711. The backlog of cases increased by 2021 and cases were taking longer to …
Response status not verified
#17 — Produce a detailed long-term plan to increase judicial capacity in the Crown Court.
Recommendation: We share the view of the judiciary and the MoJ that judicial capacity is, at present, the most pressing constraint in the courts system. We welcome the Government’s plans to recruit more judges. The Government should learn the lesson from …
Response attribution not verified
#43 — Launch urgent, comprehensive, root-and-branch review of the County Court by Spring 2026
Recommendation: We recommend an urgent and comprehensive, root-and-branch review of the County Court. This review must be launched by Spring 2026 and encompass recruitment and retention challenges within both the Judiciary and HMCTS, establish a realistic and sustainable plan for future …
Response attribution not verified
NAO audit recommendations(1)
IMB individual recommendations(34)
Cookham Wood (2021)
An urgent review of court procedures is required, to avoid children enduring long periods in prison while being held on remand – with the potential for at least some of them being found not guilty at the end of their long stay on remand.
Ministry of Justice
In Progress
Usk and Prescoed (2024)
How does the Minister plan to reduce the delays in holding parole boards?
Ministry of Justice
In Progress
Hewell (2024)
What will the Minister do to reduce numbers in custody related to the length of time on remand due to backlogs in the courts?
Ministry of Justice
Noted
Durham (2021)
Of concern is the rise in the number of unsentenced prisoners: there has been a 100% increase in the numbers who have been in Durham for more than one year. The Board awaits the Minister’s response on what else can be done to reduce the backlog in criminal cases and hence reduce time on remand (4.1.2 / 4.1.4).
Other
In Progress
Wakefield (2023)
We ask the Minister to act in respect of prisoners at HMP Wakefield who are substantially over tariff and subject to the consequences of the now discredited ‘sentences of imprisonment for public protection [IPP]’ (see Criminal Justice Act 2003).
Other
Birmingham (2023)
Despite reporting on this last year and the year before, Birmingham IMB observe that there has been no reduction in the length of stays on remand, which can be up to three, or even exceptionally four years. In reply to the last annual report the Minister gave certain assurances and yet there has been no measurable improvement. What steps will …
Ministry of Justice
In Progress
Hollesley Bay (2024)
The Board will continue to press for a review of the 2023 decision to reject the Justice Select Committee’s recommendation, for the re-sentencing of IPP prisoners (serving Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences). Although some changes have been made, these do not, in the main, benefit serving prisoners in the open estate. What specific steps will the Minister take to address …
Ministry of Justice
Partially Accepted
Peterborough (2025)
When will the various measures being recommended and discussed to reduce the number of remand prisoners waiting for trial or for sentencing actually start to have a positive impact?
Other
In Progress
Nottingham (2025)
What steps will the Minister take to reduce the prisoners who are convicted but not sentenced? It is predicted that a significant percentage will be released on receiving sentence, thus freeing up prison spaces.
Other
In Progress
Leyhill (2020)
For the reasons set out in the body of the Report (see paragraph 5.1) and in last year’s Report , what further consideration will the minister give to possible ways of swifter progression to conclusion of the majority of IPP sentences?
Ministry of Justice
In Progress
Leicester (2021)
Is the minister able to work with colleagues in the criminal justice system to address this situation?
Ministry of Justice
In Progress
Hollesley Bay (2021)
That further consideration is given to the indeterminate sentences for public protection (IPP) regime to eradicate many of the injustices that are all too common in the system.
Ministry of Justice
Accepted
Hewell (2023)
What is being done to address or influence the backlogs in the court system which mean prison beds are taken up with men on remand or awaiting sentencing?
Other
Haverigg (2023)
the board urges the Minister to bring forward legislation to enable a re-sentencing exercise, as recommended by the Justice Committee in September 2022.
Other
Grendon (2023)
Could the Minister assure the Board that measures have been put in place to address these delays and that they will not occur in future?
Ministry of Justice
In Progress
Peterborough (men) (2024)
How does the Minister intend to reduce the time some men are held on remand?
Ministry of Justice
In Progress
Leeds (2024)
Can the Minister give an assurance that he will actively support the outcome of the Gauke review to reduce the number of men being sent to the prison and prioritise the reduction in the backlog of court cases waiting to be heard (and, thereby, reduce the number of remand prisoners being held in the prison)?
Other
Accepted
Leeds (2024)
Can the Minister give an assurance that the IPP Action Plan will be actively pursued by the Government?
Other
Accepted
Lancaster Farms (2024)
When will the Minister accelerate resolution for prisoners with outstanding Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences?
Ministry of Justice
In Progress
Wetherby (2025)
At the end of the reporting year, 42 young people were held on remand in Wetherby. What urgent measures is the Minister implementing to reduce these delays and ensure timely access to justice?
Ministry of Justice
Bristol (2025)
What actions are being taken to reduce the number of prisoners on remand and the time that a prisoner is on remand?
Ministry of Justice
In Progress
Ranby (2020)
What steps is the minister taking to resolve the issue surrounding prisoners serving indeterminate sentences for public protection (IPP)? HMP Ranby has 14, who are now all well over their initial tariff.
Ministry of Justice
In Progress
Eastwood Park (2020)
Will the minister address the differences in sentencing practice with the Sentencing Council as they appear to show that a prison sentence is partly determined by postcode?
Ministry of Justice
Noted
Wealstun (2022)
To end the inhumane treatment of prisoners serving IPP sentences across the prison estate by releasing all remaining IPP prisoners.
Ministry of Justice
Leicester (2022)
Is the minister able to work with colleagues in the criminal justice system to address this situation?
Ministry of Justice
Rochester (2023)
For the majority of the reporting year, the Rochester Board had just six active members from an establishment of 14. Consequently, the Board found it increasingly challenging to discharge its statutory duties. The minister is asked to note this issue, and assist by expediting delays which occur, such as with security clearances. (paragraph 8.1. refers)
Ministry of Justice
Nottingham (2024)
Will the Minister take measures to address the pressure on capacity across the prison estate and the churn of prisoners from the courts who are remanded or awaiting sentence?
Ministry of Justice
In Progress
Swaleside (2025)
The Board is concerned about the number of adjudications that are being adjourned and prisoners not attending. This undermines the effective running of the prison. What are the reasons for the high number of adjournments and non-attendances and what actions can be taken to address them?
HMPPS
Accepted
Wakefield (2021)
Act in respect of prisoners at HMP Wakefield who are substantially over tariff and subject to the consequences of the now discredited ‘sentences of imprisonment for public protection’ (IPP) (see Criminal Justice Act 2003).
Ministry of Justice
In Progress
Lowdham Grange (2023)
The Board feels that the amendments to the Parole Board rules, which came into force in July 2022, are denying opportunities for prisoners who are seeking transfer to open conditions or moving towards release. The Board would like to see the opinions and recommendations of prison and probation staff being given due consideration when such decisions are made.
Ministry of Justice
Lowdham Grange (2023)
The Board believes there should be a renewed focus and energy on reviewing the sentences of indeterminate sentenced (IPP) prisoners, as this recommendation from the Justice Select Committee was not accepted.
Ministry of Justice
Lewes (2023)
Will the Minister reconsider the recommendation of the Justice Committee to commission a resentencing exercise for all prisoners on imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences?
Ministry of Justice
Leicester (2023)
Is the minister able to work with colleagues in the criminal justice system to address this situation?
Ministry of Justice
Doncaster (2025)
Overcrowding in the prison system continues. Can the Prison Service commit to supporting the recommendations of the Gauke review by prioritising the reduction in the backlog of court cases thereby shortening the time prisoners spend on remand?
HMPPS
In Progress
Independent reviews(47)
Anderson Review — Rec 116
The IPT should have the resources it needs to operate in a practical and expeditious manner. Those resources should be independent of those allocated to ISIC and the ISC, whose conduct may from time to time be in issue before the IPT.
Other
Anderson Review — Rec 107
Judicial Commissioners could be full-time or (as currently in the OSC) part-time judges on duty according to a rota. They should be capable of providing prompt and efficient service for applications from all parts of the UK. It will be necessary to provide 24-hour cover (as currently provided by the …
Other
Laming Review (Baby P) — Rec 57
The Ministry of Justice should lead on the establishment of a system-wide target that lays responsibility on all participants in the care proceedings system to reduce damaging delays in the time it takes to progress care cases where these delays are not in the interests of the child.
Other
Jackson Review — Rec 104
If any judge at the end of a hearing within Costs PD paragraph 13.2 considers that he or she lacks the time or the expertise to assess costs summarily (either at that hearing or on paper afterwards), then the judge should order a substantial payment on account of costs and …
Other
Jackson Review — Rec 97
The Association of District Judges and HMCS should together draw up a scheme for the increased delegation of routine box work from district judges to proper officers within the court service.
Other
Jackson Review — Rec 50
Sections D4 and D8 of the Admiralty & Commercial Courts Guide should be amended to permit more frequent allocation of appropriate cases to designated judges.
Other
Jackson Review — Rec 38
One or more district judges, deputy district judges or recorders with specialist patent experience should be available to sit in the PCC, in order to deal with small claims and fast track cases.
Other
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 39
I recommend that Crown Court Bench Division hearings should be heard in any available courtroom, provided it has (a) has appropriate access, and (b) recording facilities can be made available. It will also provide for the possibility that Crown Court cases could be heard in buildings in which magistrates’ courts …
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 38
I recommend that the judiciary considers making greater use of flexible deployment into the Crown Court. This could start with the deployment of a greater number of District Judges (Magistrates’ Courts) and Deputy District Judges (Magistrates’ Courts). Deputy High Court Judges who have not been appointed Recorders could also gain …
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 37
I recommend that His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service maximise sitting days for Recorders, and for Circuit Judges and Recorders sitting-in-retirement.
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 36
I recommend that the Lord Chancellor makes greater use of the powers under section 94 of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 to appoint suitably qualified candidates to conduct criminal work both in the magistrates’ court and the Crown Court over and above the previously agreed vacancy request.
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 35
I recommend that a vacancy request be addressed to the Judicial Appointments Commission so as to generate a specific ‘Circuit Judge – crime’ and ‘Recorder – crime’ recruitment competition.
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 34
I recommend that when it is possible (bearing in mind funding, alongside capacity across the Criminal Justice System) the allocation of sitting days in the Crown Court should be increased to 130,000 per year. This will cover both jury trials and the Crown Court Bench Division. His Majesty’s Courts and …
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 33
I recommend that any judge authorised to sit in the Crown Court in its current form would be eligible to sit in the new Crown Court Bench Division, as part of the Crown Court.
Justice & Legal
Wessely Review — Rec 138
The Government should consider giving the Parole Board Tribunal status and combining hearings where appropriate. At the very least the Government should streamline processes so that hearings could be convened back to back.
Health & Social Care
Accepted
Wessely Review — Rec 129
Magistrates' courts should have the following powers, to bring them in line with Crown Courts: a. remand for assessment without conviction under section 35 of the Mental Health Act (MHA); b. remand for treatment under section 36 of the MHA; c. the power to commit a case to the Crown …
Health & Social Care
Accepted
Angiolini Review — Rec 73
A specialist cadre of ticketed and experienced Coroners should be created to preside over Article 2 inquests, under the auspices of a National Coroner Service.
Policing & Security
Accepted
Angiolini Review — Rec 72
A nationally funded National Coroner Service should be urgently considered as a means to address persistent inconsistencies of service and the inability of Coroners to pursue investigations without complete reliance on the IPCC and other agencies.
Policing & Security
Accepted
Angiolini Review — Rec 70
The CPS specialist unit handling prosecution decisions about deaths in police custody should be reviewed to ensure it is properly resourced with experienced prosecutors for consideration of such serious cases.
Policing & Security
Accepted
Jackson Review — Rec 83
CMCs and PTRs should either (a) be used as occasions for effective case management or (b) be dispensed with and replaced by directions on paper. Where such interim hearings are held, the judge should have proper time for pre-reading.
Other
Jackson Review — Rec 81
Measures should be taken to promote the assignment of cases to designated judges with relevant expertise.
Other
Jackson Review — Rec 61
The CPR should be amended so that appropriate TCC cases can be allocated to the fast track. Section 68(1)(a) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 should be amended, so that district judges of appropriate experience may be authorised to manage and try fast track TCC cases.
Other
Wessely Review — Rec 18
The county court power to displace a NR should be replaced with a Mental Health Tribunal power to overrule or displace a NP, and only contested nominations should be heard in court.
Health & Social Care
Accepted
Gauke Review — Rec 6.1
Expand the availability of Intensive Supervision Courts to address prolific offending
Justice & Legal
Gauke Review — Rec 5.6
Expand provision of Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts
Justice & Legal
Jackson Review — Rec 88
Consideration should be given to the possibility of the Court of Appeal sitting with an experienced district judge as assessor when case management issues arise.
Other
Jackson Review — Rec 87
The Master of the Rolls should designate two lords justices, at least one of whom will so far as possible be a member of any constitution of the civil division of the Court of Appeal, which is called upon to consider issues concerning the interpretation or application of the CPR.
Other
Barker Land Use Planning Review — Rec 25
DCLG should establish a planning mediation service to act as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism within the planning system. PINS should also explore further means of reducing the demand for the appeals system. This should include greater use of powers to charge for unreasonable behaviour leading to unnecessary expenses. Enhancing …
Other
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 45
I recommend that in cases of anticipated exceptional length or complexity (within section 29 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigation Act 1996), a judge should be able to direct trial by judge alone. The allocation decision would be made at a preparatory hearing. The limits of and process for these …
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 44
I recommend that serious and complex fraud cases should be tried by judge alone. Eligible cases should be defined by their hidden dishonesty or complexity that is outside the understanding of the general public. The allocation decision should be made at a Preparatory Hearing. The limits of and process for …
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 43
I recommend that defendants in the Crown Court should be allowed to elect to be tried by judge alone, subject to the trial judge’s consent. The judge would make that decision based on the facts and circumstances of the individual case. This decision to elect trial by judge alone should …
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 32
I recommend that the Crown Court Bench Division would, as part of the Crown Court, have the same sentencing powers as the Crown Court in its current form.
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 31
I recommend the Sentencing Council creates Crown Court Division Allocation guidelines following its required consultation process.
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 30
I recommend the creation of a new Division of the Crown Court: the Crown Court Bench Division. All either way offences would be eligible to be tried in the Crown Court Bench Division. Whether the defendant exercises their right to elect a Crown Court hearing or is sent by the …
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 27
I recommend that the maximum reduction for entering a guilty plea be increased to 40% if the plea is made (or indicated) at the first available opportunity. Further, I suggest it should decrease to one third at the Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing and, thereafter, be at the discretion of …
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 26
I recommend that there should be a pilot scheme to test whether the Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing should be delayed to ensure proper engagement between the parties. Further, I recommend this pilot is implemented forthwith and before my other recommendations have been added to the statute book.
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 22
I recommend that the requirement for a full re‑hearing in the Crown Court should be replaced with a hearing on issues for which leave to appeal has been granted.
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 21
I recommend that the automatic right to appeal is replaced with a requirement for permission to appeal, with grounds to appeal similar to those available from the Crown Court to the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division).
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 18
I recommend that the government reclassifies a list of either way offences to summary only (as set out in Annex G) and that the maximum custodial sentence length for these be set at 12 months. The maximum custodial sentence lengths prescribed for existing summary only offences should remain. Consideration should …
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 17
I recommend that, to reflect inflation, the existing threshold for criminal damage being tried as a summary only offence be increased from £5,000 to £10,000, as set by section 46 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 16
I recommend that for either way offences for which the right to elect is to remain, the order of decisions made on allocation should be reversed. Where a defendant indicates a not guilty plea, they should next be invited to elect for Crown Court trial. If the defendant chooses not …
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 15
I recommend that the ability to amend magistrates’ sentencing powers by Statutory Instrument should be repealed and that the 12-month maximum should be made permanent.
Justice & Legal
Leveson Criminal Courts Review — Rec 14
I recommend that the Ministry of Justice considers removing the right to elect for certain low level offences. The removal should, in my view, apply to offences with a maximum sentence length of less than or equal to two years and which could be expanded to other either way offences …
Justice & Legal
Angiolini Review — Rec 59
The IPCC should urgently consider whether to adopt a formal time limit for the completion of Article 2 investigations, with the lead investigator obliged to set out in writing why any extension to this limit was required.
Policing & Security
Accepted
Angiolini Review — Rec 52
Consideration should be given to the creation of statutory time limits for the investigation by the agencies unless there are to be criminal charges made and the Coroner suspends the Coroner’s investigation. These time limits should be set by the Coroner following receipt of the report of the early meeting …
Policing & Security
Accepted
Lammy Review — Rec 15
An organisation such as Judicial Training College or the Judicial Appointments Commission should take on the role of a modern recruitment function for the judiciary – involving talent-spotting, pre-application support and coaching for 'near miss' candidates. The MoJ should also examine whether the same organisation could take on similar responsibilities …
Justice & Legal
Accepted
Hampton Review — Rec 9
The review recommends that, two to three years after the introduction of administrative penalties, the Better Regulation Executive should review whether appeals to magistrates’ courts are being dealt with effectively, and whether a Regulatory Tribunal Service, using specialist judges, should be established to hear appeals.
Other
PHSO casework decisions(2)
P-002475 — HM Courts and Tribunals Service
Ms O complained HMCTS staff prevented her from having an oral court hearing for her applications, impacting her employment prospects and causing financial loss.
UK Government
Feb 2024
P-002579 — HM Courts and Tribunals Service
Mr A complained HMCTS backdated the seal on a Remuneration Application, preventing him from challenging fees and resulting in substantial costs.
UK Government
May 2024
LGO / SPSO decisions(14)
24-006-989 — London Tribunals
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about various matters in connection with Ms X’s appeal to London Tribunals about a penalty charge notice. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. We have no remit …
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Sep 2024
23-019-065 — Wakefield City Council
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about an assessment the Council completed for the Court. The law says we cannot investigate matters that the Court has dealt with.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Apr 2024
22-007-312 — Staffordshire County Council
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the content of a court report and the Council’s actions in creating a conflict of interest that delayed a court case. The matters complained of are not separable from matters that form part of court proceedings.
LGO (Local Government & …
Children S Care Services
Sep 2022
22-002-172 — Stoke-on-Trent City Council
This is because the courts are in the best position to decide the issues
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Jun 2022
22-006-682 — Cornwall Council
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to provide documents relating to a court case. This is because the complaint relates to matters decided at court and we have no remit to intervene.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Sep 2022
22-008-726 — London Borough of Hackney
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a parking fine. This is because the complainant has already used their right of appeal to a court, so we have no remit to investigate.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Sep 2022
22-007-846 — London Borough of Redbridge
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s actions in pursuing Ms X about school attendance. The matters complained of are not separable from matters subject to court action. Even if that were not so, matters before 2021 are late, and there would be no good reason to …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Sep 2022
23-020-526 — London Borough of Hackney
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about a court report. The law says we cannot investigate matters that have been considered by the Court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Children S Care Services
May 2024
24-002-956 — West Berkshire Council
Summary: We will not investigate Ms H’s complaint about a dispute over the Council’s actions towards her adult daughter because we cannot investigate the start or conduct of court action, and the Court is best placed to resolve the matters in dispute and decide on the arrangements, so we could …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Dec 2024
201400855 — Scottish Court Service
Miss C was party to legal proceedings. She complained to the Scottish Court Service (SCS) that she had not received within a reasonable timescale a copy of documents relating to the decisions taken at the proceedings. She then submitted a claim for compensation due to the consequences of the documents …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Scottish Government and Devolved Administration
Upheld
Nov 2014
25-020-088 — London Borough of Bromley
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about a court report. The law prevents us from investigating what happens in court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Children S Care Services
Dec 2025
25-015-478 — Royal Borough of Greenwich
Summary: We cannot investigate Ms Z’s complaint about legal proceedings involving the Council. This is because the law does not allow us to investigate complaints about court action and what happened in court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Jan 2026
21-015-617 — Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to take legal action against the complainant, and how it plans to review the decision. This is because the matter has been subject to court proceedings which places it outside of our jurisdiction.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Feb 2022
24-004-413 — Bury Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s conduct during an appeal to the SEND Tribunal. The law prevents us from investigating complaints about the actions of a council during a tribunal appeal.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Jul 2024
Domestic Homicide Reviews(4)
Kent — recommendation 14
Kent Criminal Justice Board (KCJB) should consider whether there is any way in which the facilities available in an SDVC could be provided in cases where the defended appears having been remanded in custody.
KCJB
Bromley — recommendation 4.5.2
That Her Majesty’s Courts Service and partners reconsider the issue of a Specialist Domestic Violence Court in Bromley (which may include other relevant boroughs who utilise this court) to ensure a more effective delivery of justice in domestic violence cases.
Her Majesty’s Courts Service | Partners
Fenland — recommendation 2
The Fenland Community Safety Partnership should request a meeting with the Local Criminal Justice Board to discuss delays in cases that involve Domestic Abuse to ensure that justice is timely, to safeguard all victims within the case.
Fenland Community Safety Partnership
East Sussex — recommendation 4
The Ministry of Justice is asked to consider whether a standard should be set for pre-sentence reports involving domestic abuse, including those pre-sentence reports which are required verbally and ‘on the day’, to routinely include evidence of police reports, necessitating the time being allocated for them to be carried out.
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Justice
CJINI inspection reports(5)
The operation of Bail and Remand in Northern Ireland
Avoidable Delay, Prosecution and the Courts, Court Operatio…
Jan 2023
File Quality, Disclosure and Case Progression and trial recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
Avoidable Delay, The Criminal Justice System
Jun 2023
An Inspection of the effectiveness of Criminal Court administration
Court Operations, Prosecution and the Courts
Sep 2024
A thematic inspection of avoidable delay in the processing of criminal cases in Northern Ireland
Avoidable Delay, The Criminal Justice System
Jun 2010
Avoidable Delay – A Progress Report
Avoidable Delay, The Criminal Justice System
Jan 2012