Ten cases a day – how ‘blitz courts’ could tackle the Crown Court backlog

At Nottingham Crown Court, a man stood silently in the dock, facing charges of sending explicit photos of his genitals to a 13-year-old girl and possessing nearly 200 child sexual abuse images. The judge called him a “depraved individual” and sentenced him to a two-year suspended prison term, along with 118 hours of unpaid community service and registration as a sex offender for a decade. His wife watched quietly, wiping away tears as the proceedings concluded in 45 minutes.

Just minutes later, the judge heard another case involving a 27-year-old man who had sent intimate photos to a 14-year-old girl and solicited her for sexual activity. He was apprehended by a paedophile-hunting group after arranging a meeting at an Asda store. The sentence handed down was comparable to the first, reflecting the efficiency of the accelerated process.

The rise of ‘blitz’ court sessions

Nottingham is among a select group of Crown Courts implementing “blitz” hearings, where dozens of cases are processed in a single day. This approach aims to reduce the growing delays in the criminal justice system. Similar initiatives are now underway in London, the North East, and the North West of England, with plans to expand the program to more courts, including the Old Bailey in London.

These sessions are designed to fast-track cases, typically focusing on trials, sentencing, and appeals. While it’s rare for a judge to handle so many cases in one day, the government hopes this model will help clear the backlog. Nottingham’s court hosts these sessions twice monthly, grouping similar cases to streamline decision-making.

Funding and the case backlog

The initiative is backed by £2.7bn in government funding for courts and tribunals this financial year, up from £2.5bn previously. However, the backlog remains a significant issue, with approximately 80,000 cases pending in Crown Courts across England and Wales. This number has doubled since pre-pandemic levels and is projected to surpass 100,000 by year’s end. By 2035, the waitlist could reach 200,000 if no changes are made.

Victims, some of whom face delays until 2030, argue that the long waits are intolerable. They demand faster resolution to ensure justice is served without unnecessary delays.

During my visit, Judge Michael Auty KC delivered ten sentences in one day, four related to sexual offences. He noted that certain cases could have been handled in magistrates’ courts, which would have expedited justice and reduced strain on the system. For instance, a 44-year-old father of five was sentenced for sharing intimate images of a Muslim woman and attempting blackmail, threatening to expose her naked photos to her family if she didn’t continue sleeping with him. The judge remarked, “You’ve escaped jail by the skin of your teeth.”

Supporters of blitz courts highlight benefits such as quicker resolutions, earlier pleas, and reduced pressure on prison facilities. By pushing cases through more rapidly, the system may also improve offender rehabilitation in the community. As the government scales the approach, the focus will remain on addressing the urgent need for efficiency in the legal process.