Record levels of crown court delays are deepening the trauma of victims and making many feel that justice is “out of reach”, the Victims Commissioner has warned.
A new report into the record-high crown court backlog in England and Wales discovered that 48 per cent of those surveyed had a trial date pushed back at least once.
The backlog has almost doubled in five years to 73,105 at the end of September 2024.
Victims of serious offences such as rape and robbery are struggling to cope amid these long waits according to the new findings.
It warned many rape and robbery victims are unable to work or are turning to drugs, alcohol and self-harm as they face the uncertainty.
Baroness Newlove, Victims Commissioner for England and Wales, said: "For far too many victims, justice now feels out of reach. These delays don’t just prolong the process—they deepen the trauma.
"Victims’ lives are put on hold, relationships are strained, and their jobs and prospects are threatened. Justice should never come at such a cost."
The report published today highlights that in September 2024, 23 per cent of cases had been outstanding at the crown court for more than a year, up from seven per cent in March 2020. Further, eight per cent had been delayed for over two years by the end of September 2024, compared to only two per cent in March 2020.
Data showed that 87 crown court cases were adjourned more than three times on the day of trial in 2023/24, up from 20 times in 2019/20.
Poor communication with victims of the process was also raised as a concern, with 36 per cent of victims saying they were not given an explanation when their trial date was changed.
The review has recommended victims whose case is going to trial be given a single point of contact to improve communication, as well as for the restoration of court inspections.
Baroness Newlove said: “The crisis in our crown courts is also placing immense pressure on our vital victim services, already stretched thin with growing waiting lists. These services are crucial to helping victims cope, recover, and stay engaged throughout the court process. But with funding cuts looming, we face the very real threat of reduced support.
“I fear this will drive some victims to give up on seeking justice altogether — a second injustice compounding the first.”
Katie Kempen, Victim Support’s Chief Executive, backed calls for Government funding for the vital lifeline for victims, and she said the report reflects the picture from frontline services.
“Even if meaningful action is taken now, the court crisis will take years to resolve,” she warned.
The report also highlighted the “detrimental” impact court delays may have on the wider justice system, by reducing the quality of victim’s evidence or leading them to withdraw from the process.
One victim said: “I’m 30 now and I was 25 when I reported. I feel like I can’t remember the second half of my 20s.
“The only memory I’ve got of the second half of my 20s is going through the court system because that’s all you can think about and your life gets put on hold… literally it’s like I woke up one day and I’d lost five years of my life.”
Another victim who went to the doctor about chest pains, which were from stress, added: “It’s those two and then three years of just waiting and it’s like going to the lion’s den, you feel like it’s getting closer and you’re getting more anxious.”
The findings have been shared with Sir Brian Leveson’s independent review of criminal courts, announced in December, ahead of its publication expected in the spring.
The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for comment.
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A new report into the record-high crown court backlog in England and Wales discovered that 48 per cent of those surveyed had a trial date pushed back at least once.
The backlog has almost doubled in five years to 73,105 at the end of September 2024.
Victims of serious offences such as rape and robbery are struggling to cope amid these long waits according to the new findings.
It warned many rape and robbery victims are unable to work or are turning to drugs, alcohol and self-harm as they face the uncertainty.
Baroness Newlove, Victims Commissioner for England and Wales, said: "For far too many victims, justice now feels out of reach. These delays don’t just prolong the process—they deepen the trauma.
"Victims’ lives are put on hold, relationships are strained, and their jobs and prospects are threatened. Justice should never come at such a cost."
The report published today highlights that in September 2024, 23 per cent of cases had been outstanding at the crown court for more than a year, up from seven per cent in March 2020. Further, eight per cent had been delayed for over two years by the end of September 2024, compared to only two per cent in March 2020.
Data showed that 87 crown court cases were adjourned more than three times on the day of trial in 2023/24, up from 20 times in 2019/20.
Poor communication with victims of the process was also raised as a concern, with 36 per cent of victims saying they were not given an explanation when their trial date was changed.
The review has recommended victims whose case is going to trial be given a single point of contact to improve communication, as well as for the restoration of court inspections.
Baroness Newlove said: “The crisis in our crown courts is also placing immense pressure on our vital victim services, already stretched thin with growing waiting lists. These services are crucial to helping victims cope, recover, and stay engaged throughout the court process. But with funding cuts looming, we face the very real threat of reduced support.
“I fear this will drive some victims to give up on seeking justice altogether — a second injustice compounding the first.”
Katie Kempen, Victim Support’s Chief Executive, backed calls for Government funding for the vital lifeline for victims, and she said the report reflects the picture from frontline services.
“Even if meaningful action is taken now, the court crisis will take years to resolve,” she warned.
The report also highlighted the “detrimental” impact court delays may have on the wider justice system, by reducing the quality of victim’s evidence or leading them to withdraw from the process.
One victim said: “I’m 30 now and I was 25 when I reported. I feel like I can’t remember the second half of my 20s.
“The only memory I’ve got of the second half of my 20s is going through the court system because that’s all you can think about and your life gets put on hold… literally it’s like I woke up one day and I’d lost five years of my life.”
Another victim who went to the doctor about chest pains, which were from stress, added: “It’s those two and then three years of just waiting and it’s like going to the lion’s den, you feel like it’s getting closer and you’re getting more anxious.”
The findings have been shared with Sir Brian Leveson’s independent review of criminal courts, announced in December, ahead of its publication expected in the spring.
The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for comment.
Find Out More...