'The crown court backlog stands at over 78,000, and behind each case is a real person who is waiting years for justice'

COURTS WILL SIT FOR 1,250 EXTRA DAYS WITH JUDGES FORCED TO APOLOGISE FOR DELAYS

- 

COURTS will sit for extra days to help tackle backlogs, the Deputy Prime Minister has announced, as judges are forced to apologise for justice delays.

David Lammy revealed plans for victims to get faster justice in a speech on Wednesday, with the Government funding an extra 1,250 sitting days.

The speech, which coincides with the opening of the legal year, comes as several judges have apologised to defendants and victims for delays in the court system, with some trials pushed back multiple years.

The Government has said the plans will ensure more trials can be heard to help tackle the growing backlog of cases.

It comes as Staffordshire’s crime chief is asking for the area to be considered a ‘special case’.