Four-year delays for criminal trials show long Crown Court backlog.

Ministry of Justice figures show dozens of Crown Court trials are scheduled four years ahead, with more than 2,600 trials listed for 2028 and proposed legislation introduced to limit some jury trials.

New Ministry of Justice figures show dozens of Crown Court trials are scheduled to start four years from now. The data list more than 2,600 trials set for 2028 and hundreds more for 2029 and beyond. Victims' commissioner Claire Waxman and senior legal figures have said the waits are harmful for victims and can disrupt lives. The government has introduced legislation to parliament that would remove the right to jury trial for offences likely to attract sentences under three years. Key facts: - More than 2,600 Crown Court trials are listed for 2028, including around 206 rape trials. - A further 625 trials are scheduled for 2029, including 14 sexual-offence trials, of which four are listed as alleged rape. - The figures show 29 cases listed as far ahead as 2030, and the Ministry of Justice has warned the backlog could exceed 200,000 by 2035. - Ministers have introduced a bill to limit jury trials for lower‑sentence cases; the proposal is currently before parliament. Summary: The published figures indicate persistent delays across the Crown Court affecting a range of offences, including sexual, violent and drug-related cases. Officials and legal groups disagree on the best remedies, with the government pursuing jury-trial limits while other bodies urge wider efficiency measures. Parliamentary scrutiny of the proposed bill is the next stated procedural step.