Sir Brian Leveson stated, "This isn't so much a challenge, it's a crisis in the criminal justice system which has to be addressed." He emphasized the need for urgent and radical measures to tackle the severe backlog of criminal cases, pointing out that the current status is unsustainable with listings stretching into 2027, disproportionately affecting victims, witnesses, and defendants.
Leveson noted, "It isn't acceptable for victims, it isn't acceptable for witnesses... it isn't acceptable for defendants who have allegations hanging over their heads for years and years." He highlighted the detrimental impact of delays on all parties involved, advocating for immediate attention and solutions.
Sir Brian highlighted that the backlog in Crown Courts had increased by 10% in a year, stating that the number of prosecutions waiting for resolution was "unsustainable" and that it's crucial to consider how the system can handle this growing challenge.
Discussing possible reforms, Leveson mentioned, "The extent to which we can divert people from the criminal justice system is a live one and that's one of the areas I will be looking at." This indicates a potential reevaluation of how cases are managed and whether intermediate courts could alleviate pressure.
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