Written Question·Ministry of Justice·UIN 113097

Crown Court: Trials

Tabled: 12 February 2026

Answered: 23 February 2026

Question

Andy McDonald

Labour — Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the percentage of the overall Crown Court backlog which comprises the cohort of up to three years’ imprisonment cases and would go before a Judge only court under proposed court refor

Answer

Sarah Sackman

As is usual practice, detailed impact assessments will be provided alongside the necessary legislation for these reforms. The Government will bring forward this legislation when parliamentary time allows.