If you have been charged with a criminal offence, one of the hardest parts is the waiting.
Court delays in England and Wales are at record levels, and proposed reforms could significantly change how cases like yours are handled in the future. Understanding what is happening and what it means for you can make the uncertainty a little easier to manage.
At Eventum Legal, we are criminal defence lawyers who guide clients through every stage of the process, from investigation to trial. Here we explain the current backlog, the Leveson reforms, and how both could affect your case.
How Bad Are Court Delays Right Now?
The scale of the problem is significant. The Crown Court backlog has reached record levels, with around 80,000 cases awaiting hearing and some trials not scheduled until 2029.
Roughly 17,000 people are currently on remand, accounting for about a fifth of the prison population.
For anyone accused of an offence, that can mean many months, sometimes years, between being charged and having your day in court. As we explain in our FAQs, the length of a case depends on factors such as forensic and court backlogs, the complexity and nature of the allegations.
While no firm can remove those delays, we can keep you informed at every stage so you always know what is happening and what to expect next.
What Is The Leveson Review?
In 2024, the government asked Sir Brian Leveson, a retired senior judge, to carry out an independent review of the criminal courts and recommend ways to reduce the backlog. He produced two extensive reports.
Part One in June 2025 and Part Two in January 2026, running to over 1,100 pages with around 180 recommendations.
The most debated proposals concern the right to trial by jury. Sir Brian recommended that some cases currently heard by a jury should instead be tried by a judge and two magistrates in a new division of the Crown Court, a change designed to save thousands of court sitting days each year.
The government has since published its own legislation, the Courts and Tribunals Bill 2026, taking forward reforms in this area.
It is important to be clear: these are proposals and draft legislation, not settled law. The justice secretary has indicated that legislation limiting jury trials would not be introduced before the spring, with the Courts Bill expected to complete its passage through Parliament by the end of 2026.
Would My Right To A Jury Trial Be Affected?
This depends entirely on the type of offence. The government has said that trial by jury would remain protected for the most serious offences, such as rape, murder, grievous bodily harm with intent, manslaughter and robbery.
Many of the most serious cases we defend would therefore continue to be heard by a jury.
The proposed changes are aimed more at the broad middle band of “either-way” offences. There is also a more unusual proposal worth noting: in some high-profile cases that have attracted significant public attention, defendants could be given the option to request a judge-only trial, on the grounds that a fair, objective jury trial might be harder to achieve.
Because the position varies so much from case to case and because the law in this area is still changing, it is essential to get advice specific to your own circumstances rather than relying on general headlines.
Are The Reforms Controversial?
Yes. Senior figures across the legal profession, including the Bar Council, have opposed restricting jury trials, arguing there is no clear evidence that it would reduce the backlog and urging the government to let efficiency measures work first.
Concerns have also been raised that shifting more cases to the magistrates’ courts, which face their own growing backlog, could lead to shorter trials, more limited access to legal advice, and a more restricted right of appeal, while magistrates would have greater sentencing powers.
For a defendant, those are not minor details: they go to the heart of how your case is decided and what is at stake.
What Does This Mean For You?
If you are awaiting trial, the practical reality is that delays remain a feature of the system, and the way cases are tried may change over the coming year. Two things make a real difference in that environment.
The first is early, specialist advice. The strength of your case is often shaped long before you reach court, during the police investigation and at the pre-charge stage. Getting the right representation early can affect whether a case proceeds at all.
The second is choosing a team that knows the system you are facing. Whether your case is heading to the Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court, and whatever form trials ultimately take, we will explain your options clearly and prepare your defence thoroughly.
You can read more about what to expect on our Going to Court page.
Why Choose Eventum Legal?
Eventum Legal is a Manchester-based criminal defence firm specialising in sexual offence and domestic abuse allegations, acting for clients throughout England and Wales.
We understand how stressful the wait for a court date can be, and our service pledge is to keep you regularly updated, be transparent about costs, avoid legal jargon, and always give honest, realistic advice.
If you have been charged or are under investigation, contact our team today for a confidential, no-obligation conversation about your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take for my case to go to court?
There is no single answer, as it depends on court and forensic backlogs, the complexity of your case, and the nature of the allegations. With the Crown Court backlog at record levels, waits can be lengthy. We will give you a realistic picture of your own case and keep you informed throughout.
Are jury trials being abolished?
No. The Leveson reforms and the government’s Courts and Tribunals Bill propose restricting jury trials for certain offences and instead trying some cases before a judge and magistrates. These are proposals and draft legislation, not law, and jury trial is set to remain for the most serious offences such as rape and murder.
Could my case be moved out of the Crown Court?
Possibly, depending on the offence and how the reforms develop. The proposals focus mainly on “either-way” offences. We can advise you on where your case is likely to be heard and what that means for your defence and any sentence.
Does a delay help or harm my defence?
It varies. Delays can affect the availability and reliability of evidence and witnesses on both sides. The most important thing is that your case is actively managed and prepared, rather than simply left to drift, as we do for our clients.