Ten cases a day – how ‘blitz courts’ could tackle the Crown Court backlog
Ten cases a day – how ‘blitz courts’ could tackle the Crown Court backlog
A snapshot of justice in motion
A man with a stoic demeanor was the first to stand trial. He had shared explicit photographs of his genitals with a 13-year-old girl and was found in possession of nearly 200 images deemed inappropriate for children. The judge in Nottingham Crown Court described him as a “depraved individual” and sentenced him to a two-year suspended prison term. Additionally, he was required to complete 118 hours of unpaid community work and registered as a sex offender for the next decade. A woman beside him attempted to hide her emotions as the verdict was delivered. The proceeding lasted just 45 minutes.
Following this, the judge addressed a case involving a 27-year-old man who had sent intimate images to a 14-year-old girl and solicited her for sexual activity. The defendant was apprehended by a paedophile-hunting group after meeting the girl near an Asda store. His sentence mirrored the previous defendant’s. On this day, Judge Michael Auty KC handled ten cases in total, with four related to sexual misconduct. The court’s efficiency was evident as the judge moved swiftly through each case.
Accelerating justice through ‘blitz’ hearings
Nottingham Crown Court is part of a limited number of courts adopting “blitz” sessions, designed to process dozens of cases in a single day. This initiative aims to ease the growing backlog in the criminal justice system. Similar efforts are underway in London, the North East, and the North West of England, with plans to expand the scheme to more courts, including the Old Bailey.
Blitz courts focus on trials, sentencing hearings, and appeals, streamlining procedures to expedite outcomes. While it’s uncommon for a judge to handle such a high volume of cases in one day, the government envisions this model as a key tool to address the system’s delays. Nottingham conducts these sessions biweekly, grouping similar cases to ensure time is used efficiently.
A growing crisis in court delays
The backlog in Crown Courts has surged, with approximately 80,000 cases pending in England and Wales. This number has doubled since pre-pandemic levels, and it is projected to exceed 100,000 by year-end. If current trends continue, the backlog could reach 200,000 by 2035. Victims, some of whom face waits until 2030, argue that the prolonged delays are intolerable and demand swift action.
From April, the Central Criminal Court will implement blitz hearings using two dedicated chambers. These sessions will prioritize cases involving assaults on emergency workers, with over 600 such incidents awaiting resolution. Judge Auty KC noted that some cases could have been resolved at lower courts, such as magistrates’ courts, which would allow for quicker decisions and reduced strain on the system.
“You are 44 years old. These offences are mean, manipulative,” the judge remarked, addressing a defendant who had blackmailed a woman through explicit photos. “You’ve escaped jail by the skin of your teeth.”
Supporters of the blitz court model claim the benefits outweigh the challenges, enabling earlier pleas, faster rulings, and opportunities for offenders to reintegrate into communities without occupying prison beds. The government is allocating £2.7bn in funding for courts and tribunals this year, a £200m increase from the prior financial period, to support these measures.
