Record funding package aims to tackle court delays across England and Wales by running Crown Courts at full capacity.
A record £2.785 billion has been committed to courts and tribunals for 2026/27 — the largest single investment ever made in the justice system. Every Criminal Crown Court in England and Wales will be funded for unlimited sitting days next year, a move designed to clear the backlog of cases that has left victims waiting months, sometimes years, for their day in court.
The package, announced on 24 February 2026, breaks down into £2.498 billion in resource funding and £287 million in capital investment. Magistrates’ courts will also receive funding to run at their highest operational capacity.
Why Courts Are Under Pressure
Police forces are arresting and charging more people, while modern crime has become significantly more complex. According to government analysis, 90 per cent of all crime now involves digital evidence, demanding specialist investigation and prosecution resources.
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy said: “Victims still face intolerable delays. This agreement to fund unlimited sitting days will turn the tide on the backlog as quickly as possible.”
Reforms on the Table
The funding supports broader reforms proposed by Sir Brian Leveson’s Independent Review of the Criminal Courts. One proposal — judge-only trials for certain cases — has drawn criticism from legal experts who question whether it addresses the root problem of systemic underfunding.
Progress on Sexual Violence Cases
There are signs of progress in specific areas. Operation Soteria, a multi-agency initiative to improve how police and prosecutors handle sexual violence cases, has pushed the percentage of rape investigations resulting in a charge from 3 per cent in 2020 to 9 per cent in 2024/25, according to Rape Crisis.
That’s still a low figure. But for survivors, tripling the charge rate in five years marks a real shift in how the system responds.
Cracking Down on Economic Crime
Economic crime enforcement is also evolving. His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs has secured its first charging decision under legislation requiring companies to prevent domestic tax evasion, with 11 live investigations underway. The Serious Fraud Office has indicated ambition to prosecute under the failure to prevent fraud offence introduced last year.
Key Takeaways
- The Government has committed a record £2.785 billion to courts and tribunals for 2026/27, with Crown Courts funded to operate at unlimited capacity
- Rape investigations resulting in charges have increased from 3 per cent in 2020 to 9 per cent in 2024/25 under Operation Soteria
- Economic crime enforcement is expanding with new corporate criminal liability measures
What This Means for Kent Residents
Kent residents involved in criminal proceedings — whether as victims, witnesses or defendants — should see faster case progression as Crown Courts across the region operate at full capacity. For victims of crime, this investment should mean shorter waits between charge and trial. Those affected by sexual violence can access improved support through Operation Soteria’s enhanced processes across Kent Police and the Crown Prosecution Service Kent division.
