London is experiencing the most rapidly escalating backlog of court cases in England and Wales, with some victims enduring years of delay in their pursuit of justice.
Current statistics revealed exclusively to the BBC’s Politics London program by the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) indicate that there are nearly 19,000 unresolved criminal cases in the capital. The backlog in London saw a dramatic increase of 24% over the year leading to September 2025, making it the fastest-growing in both regions.
One victim expressed that these prolonged delays “take over your life,” while a women’s charity pointed out that some cases are being abandoned due to these extensive waits. Criminal defense attorneys have attributed the situation to chronic underfunding of the court system by the government.
Courts Minister Sarah Sackman has recognized the burden that these delays impose on victims and mentioned that the government is “addressing the crisis” with proposed reforms aimed at accelerating the justice process.
One anonymous survivor shared her ordeal of enduring domestic violence for 23 years at the hands of her former partner, which included recurrent instances of physical abuse. He received a brief prison sentence for assaulting her son three years ago, only to return to incarceration later.
The woman recounted that multiple court cases stretched over nearly ten years, with one case taking a full year to be heard. “In that year, you can’t concentrate on your life. It becomes all-consuming, especially when children are involved,” she remarked.
“It diminishes your sense of worth,” she added, describing the exhausting toll on her mental health as “draining” and “frustrating,” leading to a significant decline in her quality of life.
The Woman’s Trust, an organization dedicated to providing mental health support to women impacted by domestic abuse, noted that the long wait times in court are deterring some victims from pursuing their cases, even when charges are filed.
Sona Barbosa, a therapist from the charity, stated, “Some women are choosing not to proceed because of their experiences in the court system and the prolonged duration of the process, leaving them feeling like the abuser has triumphed.”
She advocated for emotional and psychological support to be made available to all women navigating the court system, not just those who report sexual offenses.
Currently, only survivors of sexual crimes are offered such support, a provision Barbosa believes should be extended to all domestic abuse cases, regardless of whether sexual charges are involved.
The CBA reported that while the backlog in London had seen improvement in the past, it has begun to rise again since the Labour party took power. The national backlog across England and Wales also grew by 9% over the year leading to September 2025, totaling 78,619 cases. Contributing factors include restrictions on the number of court sitting days and the decision to allocate London courts for cases from other areas.
Family courts are similarly affected by delays, largely due to shortages of district judges and social workers, with particularly severe performance issues noted in London and the Southeast.
Jason Lartey, president of the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association, attributed the backlog to ongoing governmental underfunding, expressing concerns over shortages impacting essential services including defense attorneys, court facilities, interpreters, and prisoner transportation.
“On a daily basis, we’re facing situations where you’d arrive at court at 9:30 a.m. only to wait until 2 p.m. for defendants to show up,” he explained.
He criticized the practice of outsourcing to the least expensive service providers for crucial functions like prison transfers, which exacerbates delays, and noted that cuts to legal aid have led many solicitors and barristers to leave the profession. Since 2012, the number of firms offering legal aid has declined from 1,200 to 1,000.
Sackman recognized the historical underfunding issues stemming from the previous Conservative government and stated that reforms are being explored to alleviate the backlog. “The emotional distress victims endure while waiting for their hearings is a very real concern,” she noted.
According to her, £450 million has been allocated to the courts, legal aid has been enhanced for criminal solicitors, and £34 million has been set aside for advocates. Additionally, Sir Brian Leveson has been tasked with developing a plan for court reform aimed at decreasing the backlog.
However, Lartey voiced opposition to plans that would limit jury trials for certain offenses, insisting that such measures would infringe upon fundamental rights. “It’s a removal of everyday rights,” he said. “This country is founded on the principle of being judged by one’s peers.”
Sackman reassured that the government is not abolishing jury trials, asserting they will remain in place for serious offenses. She emphasized, “What is truly unfair is the current situation. The waiting times mean that too many individuals are manipulating the system or opting out entirely.”
Andrew Rosindell, who recently switched allegiance to Reform UK from the Conservatives, criticized both Labour and his former party for not addressing court delays adequately. He claimed that a Reform government would focus on reopening courts, saying, “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
Sackman confirmed that Harrow Crown Court is set to reopen in April and assured that courts are being modernized to expedite justice. When queried about advising victims to report crimes despite the delays, she responded, “Absolutely, for their own benefit and for the safety of our community.” She cautioned, however, “I’m not downplaying this situation. Currently in London, there are victims informed that their trial dates will not be scheduled until 2029 and 2030.”
