Ten cases a day – how ‘blitz courts’ could tackle the Crown Court backlog
Five cases a day – how ‘blitz courts’ aim to clear the Crown Court backlog
A man with a neutral expression stood in the dock as the first case of the day unfolded. He had shared explicit photos of his genitals with a 13-year-old girl and possessed nearly 200 child-focused images. The judge at Nottingham Crown Court described him as a “depraved individual” and imposed a two-year suspended sentence. He was also mandated to complete 118 hours of unpaid community service and added to the sex offenders’ register for a decade. A woman beside him listened quietly, her tears hidden behind a composed facade. The hearing 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 requested sexual favors. The defendant was apprehended by a paedophile-hunting group after planning to meet her outside an Asda store. His sentence mirrored the previous offender’s. Typically, I attend court to cover individual cases. Today, however, was different—this marked the start of ten cases Judge Michael Auty KC would hear in five hours.
Blitz courts: accelerating justice
Nottingham is among a select group of crown courts trialing “blitz” hearings, designed to process dozens of cases daily. Similar initiatives are now active in London, the North East, and the North West of England. The government plans to expand this approach to more courts, including the Old Bailey in London. The goal is to fast-track cases, streamlining trials, sentencing, and appeals. While uncommon, judges occasionally handle multiple cases in a single session to address the growing backlog.
These sessions occur twice monthly in Nottingham. Cases with similar charges are grouped, enabling the court to manage time efficiently. On the day of my visit, the judge sentenced four individuals for sex-related offenses, alongside others for drug use, public disturbances, and theft. During the proceedings, Judge Auty KC noted that some cases could have been resolved at a lower level, reducing pressure on the system.
Backlog and urgent calls for reform
With approximately 80,000 cases pending in crown courts across England and Wales—double pre-pandemic levels—the backlog is projected to surpass 100,000 by year’s end. By 2035, it could reach 200,000 if current trends continue. Victims, some of whom are told their cases may not be heard until 2030, argue that delays are intolerable. They demand immediate action to prevent further stagnation.
“These offences are mean, manipulative,” the judge remarked about the 44-year-old man who had blackmailed a woman by threatening to expose her naked photos unless she continued sleeping with him. “You’ve escaped jail by the skin of your teeth.”
The initiative is funded by £2.7 billion allocated to courts and tribunals this financial year, an increase from £2.5 billion in the prior period. Supporters highlight the benefits: quicker resolutions, earlier pleas, and reduced prison overcrowding. By prioritizing cases, the system may enhance rehabilitation opportunities for offenders without exhausting jail resources.
