The backlog of cases in the Crown Court system has reached a record high of nearly 81,000, more than doubling since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Justice. This represents a 3 percent increase from the previous year when the backlog stood at around 78,200.

As of the end of June, 80,829 cases were awaiting trial, compared to 43,403 cases at the end of June 2020. The number of cases pending for more than a year has surged to 23,706, a 22 percent rise from 12 months earlier. Additionally, cases stuck in the system for at least two years have also reached an unprecedented level, with 7,255 cases pending—up 15 percent from 6,295 in June 2025.

A significant portion of the long-standing backlog involves serious crimes; nearly one-quarter of those cases that have been in the system for 12 months or longer are related to sexual offences. The data highlights ongoing challenges faced by the criminal justice system in managing and processing cases efficiently, contributing to longer waits for victims seeking resolution through the courts.

These statistics underscore continued pressure on court resources, rising demand for judicial capacity, and the complex impact of the pandemic on the justice system’s ability to reduce case delays. The Ministry of Justice has yet to outline specific measures being implemented to address these growing backlogs.