UK Government agrees highest ever justice budget to fund unlimited Crown Court sitting days

If you’ve spoken to anyone waiting on a criminal case lately — victims, defendants, lawyers — you’ll know the word that comes up again and again is “delay.” Cases dragging on for months, sometimes years. Courtrooms unavailable. Judges overstretched.

Now the government says it’s going all in to fix that.

The HM Courts & Tribunals Service is set to receive the largest funding settlement in its history, with ministers promising that every Criminal Crown Court in England and Wales will be funded to sit at full capacity next year.

In simple terms, if a courtroom is available and a judge is ready, the case should go ahead. No artificial cap on sitting days.

It’s being described as a turning point for a system that many insiders have warned was creaking under pressure.

What “Unlimited Sitting Days” Actually Means

For years, the number of days Crown Courts could sit was effectively capped by funding limits. That meant even when judges and lawyers were available, hearings couldn’t always proceed.

Under the new agreement, that ceiling disappears for the next financial year. The aim is clear — cut the backlog and move cases through faster.

Magistrates’ courts are also being funded to operate at their highest capacity. That matters because most criminal cases begin there, and delays at that level ripple upward into Crown Courts.

The message from government is blunt: the system will run as hard as it can.

The Money Behind the Promise

The settlement totals £2.785 billion for 2026 to 2027, up from £2.538 billion last year. Of that, £2.498 billion covers day-to-day running costs, and £287 million is earmarked for capital investment.

That capital spending is significant. Anyone who has visited older court buildings knows they aren’t exactly cutting-edge. Some have outdated wiring, poor accessibility, and patchy digital infrastructure.

The plan includes long-overdue repairs and upgrades, along with modern digital systems designed to reduce paperwork and speed up case management.

Why the Backlog Became So Severe

The courts were already under strain before the pandemic. COVID-19 made things dramatically worse, with trials paused and social distancing reducing courtroom capacity.

Then came another shift: crime itself changed.

Today, around 90 percent of cases involve some form of digital evidence — mobile phone data, CCTV downloads, social media records. That evidence can be vast and technically complex. Reviewing it takes time.

At the same time, police are charging more cases, particularly for serious offences. The result? A growing pile of unresolved trials waiting for courtroom space.

A Three-Year Deal for Stability

For the first time, the government and judiciary have agreed firm funding commitments stretching three years ahead. That long-term certainty is something justice leaders have pushed for repeatedly.

Short-term funding bursts can help, but planning reforms — recruiting judges, training staff, upgrading systems — requires predictable budgets. This settlement runs through to 2028 to 2029.

According to Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, the justice system was “on the brink of collapse” when the current government took office. He argues this deal is about restoring stability as much as speeding up trials.

Reforming the Way Trials Work

Money alone won’t solve structural issues. That’s why ministers are also backing reforms proposed by Brian Leveson in his independent review of the criminal courts.

One controversial proposal involves expanding judge-only trials in certain cases. Supporters say it could help clear the backlog more efficiently. Critics argue jury trials are a cornerstone of the justice system and should be preserved wherever possible.

Expect that debate to intensify in the months ahead.

Beyond Criminal Courts

The investment doesn’t stop at Crown Courts.

The Immigration and Asylum Chamber will be funded for up to 26,000 sitting days — more than 3,000 extra compared to last year. That reflects the mounting pressure from asylum appeals and immigration cases.

Civil courts will also see increased funding, addressing long delays in family law, housing disputes, and commercial claims.

Technology and AI Enter the Courtroom

Later today, Lammy is expected to outline a broader modernisation drive at the Microsoft AI Tour in London. Greater use of artificial intelligence in court administration is part of the plan.

That could mean automated document sorting, smarter case scheduling, and digital evidence management tools. AI won’t replace judges, but it could handle administrative burdens that currently slow proceedings down.

The justice system, critics say, has lagged behind other sectors in digital transformation. This may be an attempt to close that gap.

Impact and Consequences

If the funding delivers what it promises:

• Victims may see trials scheduled sooner, reducing emotional strain.
• Defendants awaiting trial could face shorter periods on remand.
• Public confidence in the justice system may improve.

However, risks remain.

Running courts at full throttle requires enough judges, barristers, clerks, and support staff. Recruitment and retention challenges in the legal profession could limit how quickly capacity truly expands.

There’s also the question of whether reforms like judge-only trials will face resistance from legal professionals and civil liberties groups.

What’s Next?

The next financial year will be the real test. Court listings will need to reflect the promise of unlimited sitting days.

We’ll likely see:

• Accelerated scheduling of serious criminal trials
• Increased recruitment efforts for judicial and court staff roles
• Pilot projects testing digital and AI systems
• Continued monitoring of backlog figures

If backlog numbers begin to fall meaningfully, ministers will claim vindication. If they don’t, scrutiny will intensify.

Summary

The government has agreed the largest courts funding settlement in history, pledging to remove limits on Crown Court sitting days and invest heavily in infrastructure and digital upgrades.

It’s a bold attempt to tackle years of growing delays in England and Wales.

Whether it succeeds will depend not just on money, but on staffing, reform, and modernisation working in sync.

For victims waiting for justice, the hope is simple: fewer delays, faster outcomes, and a system that feels functional again.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Criminal Crown Courts in England and Wales will be funded to sit at full capacity next year.
• The total courts settlement for 2026 to 2027 is £2.785 billion, the highest ever.
• £287 million will fund repairs and digital upgrades to court buildings.
• Magistrates’ courts and immigration tribunals will also receive expanded funding.
• Reforms proposed by Sir Brian Leveson, including potential judge-only trials, are being supported.
• AI and digital tools are expected to play a larger role in court administration.
• The success of the plan depends on staffing levels and effective implementation.