Ten cases a day – how ‘blitz courts’ could tackle the Crown Court backlog
Ten cases a day – how ‘blitz courts’ could tackle the Crown Court backlog
At Nottingham Crown Court, a man with a neutral expression was the first to stand in the dock. He had shared explicit photos of his genitals with a 13-year-old girl and was found in possession of nearly 200 child-focused images. The judge described him as a “depraved individual” and imposed a two-year suspended prison sentence. He was also required to complete 118 hours of unpaid community service and registered as a sex offender for a decade. A woman nearby listened, her face hidden behind a veil of emotion.
Speeding up justice through high-volume hearings
The session lasted just 45 minutes, a stark contrast to the usual pace. The next case involved a man who had sent intimate photos to a 14-year-old girl and solicited sexual favors. At 27, he was tracked by a paedophile-hunting organization after planning to meet her outside an Asda store. His sentence mirrored the previous defendant’s. Typically, I cover one case per day, but this day was exceptional. Judge Michael Auty KC handled ten cases in five hours, marking the beginning of a structured approach.
Nottingham is among a select group of crown courts testing “blitz” hearings, designed to process dozens of cases rapidly. Similar initiatives are active in London, the North East, and the North West of England. The government plans to extend this model to more courts, including the Old Bailey in London. The focus is on fast-tracking trials, sentencing, and appeals. While unusual, this method aims to alleviate the growing strain on the criminal justice system.
“These offences are mean, manipulative,” remarked the judge, addressing a 44-year-old defendant. “You’ve escaped jail by the skin of your teeth.”
The defendant, a father of five, was charged with sharing intimate images of a Muslim woman he had sex with and attempting to extort her. He threatened to expose her naked photos to her family if she refused to continue sleeping with him. The judge handed him a two-year suspended sentence. On the same day, rulings were made for drug-related crimes, public disorder, and theft.
Judge Auty KC noted that some cases could have been resolved earlier in lower courts, reducing delays and easing pressure on the Crown Court. Supporters argue that blitz courts allow quicker verdicts and better community rehabilitation for offenders. This system also prompts prosecutors to assess case viability early, potentially leading to dismissals or lighter penalties.
Addressing a record backlog
The Crown Court in England and Wales currently faces an 80,000-case backlog, double the pre-pandemic figure. This is projected to surpass 100,000 by year-end and could reach 200,000 by 2035 if reforms stagnate. Victims, some told their cases may not be heard until 2030, say the wait is intolerable. The government has allocated £2.7bn in funding for courts and tribunals this year, a rise from £2.5bn in the prior period.
From April, the Central Criminal Court will operate two dedicated courts for blitz hearings, targeting assaults on emergency workers. Over 600 such cases remain unprocessed. Nottingham’s blitz sessions occur twice monthly, grouping similar cases to streamline proceedings. This method, though tested before, is now being scaled to address systemic delays.
