UK Government Launches Recruitment Drive to Address Crown Court Backlog
The UK Government has initiated a recruitment campaign aimed at enlisting thousands of magistrates to volunteer in England and Wales to help alleviate the crown court backlog. Since 2022, over 2,000 magistrates have been trained, with plans to train an additional 2,000 in the upcoming financial year, according to the Ministry of Justice.
Justice Secretary David Lammy emphasized the vital role magistrates play in the justice system and called for volunteers from all ages and backgrounds. In December, reforms were announced to speed up the justice process, including removing juries from some trials.
Currently, the backlog stands at over 79,600 criminal cases, with projections by the Ministry of Justice indicating it could reach 100,000 by 2028. These delays risk serious crimes charged as late as 2026 not being tried until 2030, adversely impacting victims and suspects alike.
The Magistrates Association has welcomed the recruitment drive but has urged for additional resources such as trained legal advisers and repairs to court buildings. Magistrates are expected to volunteer at least 13 days per year, with vacancies available across criminal, youth, civil, and family matters, including specialist advisers.
Regarding demographics, 57% of magistrates are female, 14% come from ethnic minority backgrounds, with London having the highest proportion of ethnic minority magistrates at 31%. Shadow Justice Minister Kieran Mullan acknowledged the recruitment as positive but stated it does not address fundamental reform failings by the government.
