Jury trials delayed during the pandemic are now inflating the backlog

Case backlog in the crown courts, thousands

Outstanding cases

Complexity-adjusted

Coalition

Conservative

100

23 Mar 2020

First UK Covid

lockdown

75

50

25

27 Jun 2022

First day of

barristers’ strikes

0

2012

2016

2020

31 Dec

2023

Outstanding cases

Complexity-adjusted

Coalition

Conservative

100

23 Mar 2020

First UK Covid

lockdown

75

50

25

27 Jun 2022

First day of

barristers’ strikes

0

2012

2014

2016

2018

2020

2022

31 Dec 2023

Guardian graphic. Source: Institute for Government analysis of Ministry of Justice figures. Note: complexity-adjusted backlog accounts for a greater share of cases awaiting jury trial