David Lammy Removes Court Sitting Day Cap to Reduce Case Backlog

Published: 24 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The UK government has announced a major change in its judicial operations in England and Wales as Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy moves to tackle a persistent backlog of criminal cases clogging the courts. In a policy shift designed to accelerate the pace of justice, Lammy has confirmed that the long‑standing cap on the number of sitting days for Crown Courts will be removed for the 2026‑27 financial year, allowing courts to sit as often as their capacity permits.

The cap — a limit on how many days Crown Courts were funded to hear cases — has been criticised for contributing to delays that have left tens of thousands of cases outstanding, some for years. Under the new plan, funding for courts and tribunals will rise to a record £2.785 billion, with magistrates’ courts also receiving support to operate at their highest capacity. The government says the change means cases can be heard wherever there is available judicial, prosecution and defence capacity.

Lammy described the backlog as a systemic issue that required “turning the tide” on unacceptable delays faced by victims and defendants. The Ministry of Justice estimates that backlogs totalled more than 80,000 outstanding criminal cases, with many waiting extended periods before hearing dates are set — an outcome officials and lawyers have long criticised as undermining public confidence in the justice system.

In addition to lifting the cap, the Justice Secretary said further reforms aimed at improving court efficiency will be unveiled later, including a greater role for remote hearings and technological modernisation. While the funding boost and unlimited sitting days have been broadly welcomed by criminal barristers and judicial bodies, some legal groups have expressed caution, noting that added capacity alone will not resolve underlying structural problems such as staffing shortages and outdated court buildings.

The move forms part of a wider government effort to modernise the criminal courts, with investments also directed towards infrastructure repairs and digital upgrades. Critics, including civil liberties advocates, have cautioned against some of the accompanying reform proposals — notably changes to jury trial procedures — arguing that such shifts could impact fair trial rights even as backlogs are addressed.

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