Written Question·Ministry of Justice·UIN 120729

Crown Court: Judges

Tabled: 13 March 2026

Answered: 23 March 2026

Question

James McMurdock

Independent — South Basildon and East Thurrock

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to expand the number of judges authorised to sit in the Crown Court to address the backlog in criminal cases.

Answer

Sarah Sackman

We have ambitious but realistic recruitment plans for judges for the Crown Court. In January 2026, recruitment for Circuit Judges, including 45 in Crime, commenced. We are expecting a positive outcome from the 2024/25 Recorder recruitment exercise for 70 ...

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