The backlog of crown court cases in Avon and Somerset has soared by more than 80% over the past five years, highlighting a growing crisis in the justice system.

New figures from the Ministry of Justice reveal that 1,460 cases were waiting to be heard by crown courts across the region as of September 2024—up from 792 in September 2019. The rise mirrors a national trend, with the total backlog across England and Wales almost doubling during the same period.

Baroness Newlove, victims' commissioner for England and Wales, called the figures a "failure of our justice system," warning that change is urgently needed.

Nationally, the backlog stood at 73,105 cases by September 2024, representing a 10% increase from the previous year and nearly double the 35,310 cases awaiting trial in 2019.

Victims now face waiting times of up to five years for their cases to go to trial, with some court listings stretching into 2027. Stephen Parkinson, director of public prosecutions, described the delays as "totally unacceptable" and said the system is "probably worse than I've ever known it to be."

Among the 1,460 cases pending in Avon and Somerset, 344 involve sexual offences, 93 relate to theft, and 485 are for violent offences.

The mounting pressure has prompted newly appointed justice minister Sarah Sackman to describe the situation as a "crisis in the crown court system." She warned that the backlog could reach six figures without urgent action.

To address the issue, the Government has tasked retired judge Sir Brian Leveson with conducting a major review of the courts system. Sackman said current measures are "barely touching the sides," adding: "What's actually needed is fundamental reform."

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Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood also acknowledged the severity of the problem, stating: "Despite the efforts of judges, lawyers, and court staff, we simply cannot continue with the status quo."

One controversial measure under consideration includes scrapping jury trials for some cases to ease the burden on the courts.

The backlog isn't just a statistic—it's a reality for victims, many of whom are left in limbo for years. The Ministry of Justice reported that more than 5,600 cases have been waiting two years or longer as of September 2024, compared to just 592 at the end of 2019.

Baroness Newlove expressed concern about the toll on victims: "The delay in achieving justice is unacceptable and often adds to the trauma experienced by those involved."

With Avon and Somerset's backlog reflecting the broader challenges faced by the justice system, attention now turns to whether proposed reforms will be enough to address the escalating crisis.