The legal profession in England and Wales is raising alarms over the state of the criminal justice system, with various entities highlighting the dire need for increased funding and support. Philip Stott, in a guest blog for the Bar Council, discusses the deteriorating conditions of the criminal court estate in London, advocating for sustained investment to prevent future financial burdens. Similarly, The Law Society's president, Nick Emmerson, has voiced concerns over the crisis facing duty solicitor schemes, attributing the issue to the government's undervaluation of their work. This sentiment is echoed by statements in the Gazette and City AM, emphasizing the discussion in a recent Westminster Hall debate. The Criminal Bar Association describes the budget funding as insufficient, pointing out the urgent need for investment to retain barristers at legally aided rates and address the high backlog of cases. James Rossiter highlights the growing backlog, now at a record 66,468 as measured by @HMCTSgovuk, with the Crown Court resolving fewer cases than are incoming, a trend that has persisted for the majority of the last ten months. In Jan 2024, 10,603 cases came in, but only 9,745 were resolved. The reduced pool of criminal barristers, now 20% smaller than in 2018, is working over capacity, further exacerbating the situation.
“We are pleased that some funding has been allocated, but it is nowhere near enough.” Our president Nick Emmerson tells @lawsocgazette, as it delves deep into the Spring Budget. https://t.co/z7AXRTTS7c https://t.co/pGSW5NYFgX
“Duty solicitor scheme are in crisis” because the govt “continues to undervalue their work.” Our president Nick Emmerson tells @CityAM, as we highlight a Westminster Hall debate which took place this week. https://t.co/ea1vyWPyK4 https://t.co/WmfEuBzlwX
Backlog 66,468 - record as measured by @HMCTSgovuk 4th month running Crown Court resolved significantly fewer cases than new cases arriving Jan2024 10,603 in 9,745 out 9 of last 10 months fewer disposed Reduced criminal barrister pool working over capacity 20% fewer than 2018 https://t.co/1I4XEi1qCQ https://t.co/a18PRKrUAu
Budget funding ‘a drop in the ocean’ for justice system “without urgent investment” to ensure that “sufficient barristers remain working at legally aided rates, the backlog will remain stubbornly high” @Brummybar @TimesLaw https://t.co/USgQCO4NCc
“Across England and Wales, duty solicitor schemes are in crisis because governments continue to undervalue their work.” President Nick Emmerson tells the @gazette_ie, as a Westminster Hall took place today. https://t.co/8pc62ITD5I https://t.co/fsMcZp3a1S
In a new guest blog, Philip Stott writes about his experience working as a barrister in the crumbling criminal court estate in London and makes a plea for sustained investment to avoid the need for even greater expenditure in the future. Read the blog 👇 https://t.co/hjoL1JIlDB https://t.co/Ek9747EapE