TO BE PUBLISHED July 2026
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This conference will examine next steps for tackling backlogs in the criminal courts system in England and Wales. Areas for discussion include criminal courts reform and case progression, jury trial and case allocation, victim and defendant experience, court capacity and workforce pressures, and the role of digital and AI tools in supporting effective court processes.
The conference will also be a timely opportunity to discuss considerations relating to court system backlog and ways that this can be addressed, which are likely to be on the agenda for a new Prime Minister.
It will bring together key stakeholders and policymakers to discuss next steps following publication of the Government's response to Part One of the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, looking at recommendations from Parts One and Two of the Review, as well as the Courts and Tribunals Bill currently before Parliament. Attendees will assess implications of proposals on criminal court structure, allocation of cases, trial processes, sentencing powers and wider approaches to reducing delays and improving the operation of the courts.
There will be a focus on practical, legal and operational implications of proposed reform. We expect discussion on priorities related to implementation, court capacity, case progression and access to justice. Further sessions examine the Government's AI-enabled justice programme and pilot use of AI in Crown Courts, including proposals intended to support case analysis, listing and identification of trial-ready cases as part of wider efforts to improve court processes.
Criminal courts reform, backlog & public confidence
Discussion will examine the scale and impact of the criminal courts backlog, including implications for victims, defendants, legal professionals, court users and wider confidence in the justice system. Delegates will consider whether current proposals are likely to address the underlying drivers of delay, including case complexity, ineffective trials, workforce pressures, listing, court capacity and wider resourcing across the justice system.
Further discussion is expected on implementation of the Courts and Tribunals Bill and recommendations from the Leveson Review, including sequencing, transition and operational readiness. Attendees will assess how reforms relating to court operation, sentencing powers and case progression might be taken forward alongside existing commitments on sitting days, funding and wider work to improve system performance.
Jury trial, case allocation & access to justice
The agenda will consider proposals relating to expanded use of judge-only trials, Swift Courts, changes to case allocation, reclassification of offences and wider magistrates’ court sentencing powers.
Delegates will discuss potential implications for fairness, consistency, perceived legitimacy and public confidence, alongside questions around evidence, implementation risk, routes of appeal, and the extent to which these measures would reduce pressure on the Crown Court.
Sessions will also assess the impact of delays and proposed reforms on court users, including defendants and legal professionals, and on victims, particularly in sensitive cases such as serious sexual offences and domestic violence. Discussion will consider priorities for strengthening victim support, protecting vulnerable witnesses, supporting access to justice and maintaining confidence in court processes during reform.
Digitalisation, AI & court processes
The conference will examine the role of digitalisation and technology in supporting case progression, including digital case management, remote hearings, data-driven performance monitoring and AI-assisted court administration. We expect discussion on the use of tools such as Justice Transcribe and AI-driven support for case analysis, preparation and listing, including where they might reduce administrative burdens and improve coordination.
Delegates will also consider the safeguards, evidence and governance needed for responsible deployment, including issues relating to digital exclusion, transparency, bias, accuracy, data quality and the quality of outcomes. Further discussion will look at procurement, legacy system modernisation and practical conditions needed for technology to support - rather than substitute for - wider operational reform.
System capacity, workforce & delivery
Further sessions will focus on wider pressures across the criminal justice system, including workforce resilience, recruitment and retention, legal aid capacity, probation, policing, prisons and support services. Attendees will consider how reform can be aligned with the practical realities facing courts and practitioners, including training needs, administrative pressures and readiness for changes to court processes and digital workflows.
Discussion will also examine approaches to improving coordination across the justice system, assessing performance and supporting sustainable delivery. Areas for consideration include how immediate operational measures can be combined with longer-term reform, and what will be needed to maintain access to justice, service quality and public confidence while tackling delays.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those already due to attend include parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament and officials from the Ministry of Justice; HM Courts and Tribunals Service; Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; Department of Health and Social Care; Ministry of Defence; Crown Prosecution Service; HM Prison and Probation Service; HM Revenue and Customs; National Audit Office; Intellectual Property Office; Ofcom; Home Office; the Welsh Government.
