Understand
Victims bear the brunt of record court delays in England and Wales
Overview
A sexual assault victim from West Sussex, Georgia, experienced multiple severe delays, postponements, and administrative errors within the court system after her abuser's case came to court. Her experience highlights a wider national crisis regarding court backlogs across England and Wales, with the Law Society warning that the criminal justice system is failing due to staff shortages, crumbling buildings, and decades of underfunding. Nationally, Crown Court waiting lists reached 80,829 cases by the end of June 2026, while magistrates' court outstanding cases rose to 380,230. The government has acknowledged the crisis, stating that reducing the backlog is a priority.
Key points
- Georgia faced multiple hearing adjournments and administrative delays before her abuser, Zac Howard, pleaded guilty to sexual assault and voyeurism.
- A sentencing hearing was postponed due to an admin error after Georgia had traveled and stayed overnight in a hotel.
- The judge crossed out sections of Georgia's victim impact statement concerning the distress caused by court delays, ruling them irrelevant.
- Zac Howard was sentenced to a total of one year and two months in prison, suspended for two years, alongside unpaid work, rehabilitation classes, a restraining order, and 10 years on the sex offenders register.
- The Law Society stated that the criminal justice system faces a deepening crisis driven by staff shortages, crumbling buildings, and inefficiencies.
- Ministry of Justice data showed 80,829 outstanding cases in Crown Courts and 380,230 in magistrates' courts by mid-2026.
- The government stated that reducing the court backlog and improving system efficiency is a priority.