TO BE PUBLISHED May 2025
Starting from:
£99 + VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference will examine the way forward for improving the operation and efficiency of the courts system in England and Wales - with a focus on addressing the growing backlog of Crown Court and County Court cases.
Stakeholders and policymakers will evaluate immediate and long-term strategies for streamlining court processes and improving case management, alongside wider opportunities for reform that aligns with the broader objectives of fairness and access to justice for victims and consumers.
Policy and recent developments
The conference will be an opportunity to examine the direction of government policy, and what will be needed for it to be effective in tackling key issues. It follows the recent announcement of further funding for court repairs, alongside increasing sitting days to 110,000 days’ worth of cases in the next financial year.
Strategic options for tackling delays
Delegates will also discuss potential reform being examined in the ongoing Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, which is considering how to address court backlogs more widely.
With significant issues affecting criminal and civil court operations, approaches to mitigating impact on victims, consumers, defendants, witnesses, and legal professionals will be examined, particularly in cases such as rape trials where time to resolution is a critical factor. We expect discussion to draw on findings in the NAO’s 2024 report on Reducing the backlog in the Crown Court, looking at how delays have impacted justice outcomes and operational efficiency.
We expect those attending to draw on latest civil justice statistics published by the MoJ in March 2025, which highlighted an increase in claims, alongside key findings from the MoJ’s recently published Review of Civil Legal Aid report. Discussion will consider strategies to reduce the time taken from claim to hearing, examining disproportionate barriers to access to justice for the vulnerable, particularly those who have experienced traumatic events or those with mental health problems.
Proposals for further expansion of magistrate sentencing powers, reclassifying offences, and reallocating mid-level cases from Crown Courts to a new intermediate judicial level will also be considered. Areas for discussion include implications for resource distribution, appeals processes and the increase of judicial reviews for civil court claims. Further sessions will discuss opportunities and challenges in increasing the use of alternate dispute resolution, with the aim of alleviating pressures on court proceedings.
The agenda also looks at measures relating to prison capacity and remand periods aimed at addressing wider impact of operational pressures on court systems, and the effectiveness of contingency mechanisms like Operation Early Dawn in managing prison capacity in the short-term.
Workforce
Further issues contributing to trial cancellations and extended waiting times will be discussed. Delegates will assess strategies for addressing staffing shortages among duty solicitors, police officers, and custody staff as well as recruitment and retention of advocates, and the way forward for remuneration and working conditions.
Legal aid
Those attending will evaluate ongoing issues related to legal aid and how barriers to sustainable provision in civil cases can be tackled, particularly for vulnerable groups and those facing housing and immigration challenges. Utilisation of the recent increase in funding and priorities for further resources will be considered.
Digitalisation and access
Further sessions will assess digital transformation, including the HMCTS’ Court Reform Programme and further use of technology to improve court operations. We expect discussion on the rollout of the new Video Hearings Service, adoption of pre-recorded victim statements, options for reform of interpreting services in court, online dispute resolution, and what can be learned from international best practice in court digitisation and wider modernisation, including the use of AI.
Discussion will consider how technological advancements can enhance access to justice, and also how concerns relating to public attitudes, access to technology, bias and quality of service can be managed.
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 due to attend include officials from MOJ; HMCTS; DSIT; DBT; DfT; GLD; HMRC; HoC Library; Ofcom; UKVI; and the Welsh Government.
