Ten cases a day – how ‘blitz courts’ could tackle the Crown Court backlog
Ten cases a day – how ‘blitz courts’ could tackle the Crown Court backlog
At Nottingham Crown Court, a man stood silently in the dock, charged with sending explicit photos of his genitals to a 13-year-old girl and holding nearly 200 child abuse images. The judge described him as a “depraved individual” before imposing a two-year suspended sentence and ordering 118 hours of unpaid community service. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for a decade. A woman nearby watched the proceedings, her face masking emotions as the 45-minute hearing concluded.
Following this, the judge addressed another case involving a man who had shared intimate photos with a 14-year-old girl and solicited sexual advances. The 27-year-old defendant was apprehended by a paedophile-hunting organization after planning to meet her outside an Asda store. His sentence mirrored the previous case. This was not a typical day for the court, where I usually cover one case at a time. Instead, Judge Michael Auty KC was handling ten cases in five hours, marking the start of a series of blitz court sessions.
Blitz courts: A strategy for streamlined proceedings
Nottingham is among several crown courts implementing blitz hearings, designed to process dozens of cases daily and reduce delays. Similar initiatives are already underway in London, the North East, and the North West of England, with plans to expand to more courts, including the Old Bailey. The concept allows cases to be fast-tracked, with trials, sentencing, and appeals handled in a concentrated format.
Though uncommon, judges have taken on multiple cases in a single day to combat the overwhelming backlog. The system relies on grouping similar cases, enabling courts to manage time efficiently. On the day of the hearing, ten sentences were delivered—four for sex-related offences. The approach is not new; blitz courts have been used before, such as during the 2011 summer riots, to expedite public disorder trials.
By April, the Central Criminal Court will adopt two dedicated courts for blitz sessions, focusing on assaults against emergency workers. Over 600 such cases are pending. The initiative is supported by increased government funding of £2.7bn for courts and tribunals this year, up from £2.5bn the prior year. With 80,000 cases currently awaiting resolution, the backlog is projected to exceed 100,000 by year-end and reach 200,000 by 2035 without reforms.
“You are 44 years old,” the judge remarked, “and these offences are mean, manipulative.”
In another case, a father of five was sentenced for sharing explicit images of a Muslim woman and attempting blackmail. The court learned he threatened to reveal naked photos of her in a hotel room to her family unless she continued sleeping with him. The judge noted that the man had “escaped jail by the skin of his teeth” after receiving a two-year suspended term.
Supporters argue that blitz courts offer quicker resolutions, allowing offenders to be rehabilitated in the community rather than occupying prison space. By requiring prosecutors to assess early the viability of cases, some may be dismissed or reduced, easing pressure on the system. Victims, however, remain concerned, with some told their cases could take until 2030 to be heard. The government’s plan aims to expedite justice and alleviate the growing wait times for court appearances.
