Justice in Numbers
In 2024 the Criminal Bar, working with the Judiciary, Court Staff, Solicitors, the CPS and all agencies disposed of 113,885 cases in the Crown Court.
A high level of cases (18,790) were committed for sentence to the Crown Court.
Chair Mary Prior KC, Message
The Criminal Bar Association’s survey of Criminal Barristers’ views of the Leveson Review of the Criminal Courts, a Government commissioned review.
2029 criminal barristers responded in
7 days
The survey was open from
16 to 23 July 2025
The Leveson Review published 9 July 2025
More than 90 per cent of barristers oppose controversial plan to axe jury trials
Barristers were polled on Sir Brian Leveson’s proposals to scrap jury trials
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/b...
We cannot applaud the removal of what the public sees as a basic human right. The public takes part in the criminal justice system, deciding the guilt or otherwise of its fellow citizens. This is a significant protection, ensuring that laws remain fair and justice remains open to all.
Mary Prior KC
The Leveson Review
Have you completed the survey?
Calling all Criminal Barristers.
We need your say so we can have a greater collective voice.
The deadline for responses is
10am Wednesday 23 July.
We are grateful for your time.
Looks like an even bigger shovel is to hand to get back into a gaping hole already dug.
Just comes off Insta. It’s healthier. Not sure why I am even on this….just today.
Legal aid gong for Kneecap’s firm @wearelapg.bsky.social awards; Ex Stobart Barristers legal chief barred from running practices; 1st woman solicitor deserves @englishheritage.bsky.social blue plaque, says @melindagileslaw.bsky.social - in @TimesLaw today. www.thetimes.com/uk/law/artic...
Independent Sentencing Review.
“Plainly, significant investment will be necessary to implement change and that investment must include ensuring that the criminal barristers who prosecute and defend the trials and sentence hearings remain.”
Mary Prior KC, Chair of the Criminal Bar Association.
“There is no alternative but to make change”
Mary Prior KC, CBA Chair, reviews the Independent Sentencing Review, as reported in today’s @Independent.
“Ending short sentences was welcomed by the Criminal Bar Association “because they don’t work”.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Court system in crisis as ‘jaw-dropping’ delays see first trials listed for 2029
“It cannot be right for victims of crime, eyewitnesses and those accused of crimes to have to wait until 2029 for their trial to take place”
Mary Prior KC, Chair of the CBA.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
In 2022c Cookie Monster won April Fools day.
Earlier this week I joined @simonkc.bsky.social and @k80bex.bsky.social for the @thecriminalbar.bsky.social Criminal Justice Matters podcast. We discuss if offenders should be compelled to attend sentencing hearings and face the families, or face consequences open.spotify.com/episode/10Ey...
It was a real privilege to record this podcast with Claire! Do listen and share!
Our chair Mary Prior KC writes that @CommonsPAC “holds government officials to account for the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of public spending. On the 13th February 2025 the PAC was Ordered by the House of Commons to print their report entitled “Crown Court backlogs.”
Letter from the DPP, Stephen Parkinson, to the Criminal Bar
“We rely heavily on you, and we always will” Message of Stephen Parkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions at the @CPSUK to criminal barristers in today’s Monday Message.
DPP's full letter is here
www.criminalbar.com/resources/ne...
Rape trial delays worsen as barristers’ pay gap widens
As more sexual offence trials are postponed because no prosecution barrister is available, experts blame a pay disparity between prosecution and defence lawyers
@thetimes.com Times Law
www.thetimes.com/article/aa05...
Decision Time
Many of those who remain at the Criminal Bar are waiting until April to see what the joined-up consequences of the Leveson and Gauke Reviews cause the Treasury to provide to keep the Criminal Justice System alive and functioning. We are a cost-effective and vital part of that.
Chair MM
We make it plain that further delay and prevarication will lead to a mass exodus of Counsel who will simply turn to more lucrative work. Our patience should not be viewed as anything other than short-term and it masks frustration and anger and successive Governmental failures to listen and to act
MM
Defence and CPS Fees
Chair’s message
That work is ongoing but work that remains and continues to be a constant plea from the CBA to the CPS is that of parity of fees. Prosecutors must be paid the same for conducting a criminal trial as the defence.
The long hand of the law
Or
With an outstretched hand
The recommendation was not implemented. The backlog is now at over 74,000 cases. The remand population now consists of one in five prisoners.
….
Let’s start by using the resources we have.
Listening
In April 2022 the Justice Select Committee recommended that the Crown Court should sit a minimum of 110,000 sitting days for a minimum of five years to reduce the backlog which had built up of 60,000 cases.
Chair’s message
Mary Prior KC
Brexit Britain - a regional city near you
Well that was a cold start today - more of an economic and social indicator?
Forever in hope …
🚨 My exclusive splash for @inews.co.uk:
⚖️ The temporary Nightingale courts that were opened in hotels and conference centres to hear delayed trials during the pandemic are set to be kept open for a sixth year, as the criminal justice backlog crisis continues to worsen
inews.co.uk/news/crime/c...
We will do all that we can to work with them to achieve a “financially realistic and merit based increase.” If our efforts are met with prevarication and a lack of progress, we will ask you what our next steps should be.
We are now working with the Minister of State (Ministry of Justice) Sarah Sackman and the Ministry of Justice to resolve the necessary percentage increase to all defence fees, not limited to increases in RASSO cases
Time is of the essence.
Chair’s Message.
Christmas court quiz?
How much does the Supreme Court café charge for a flat white coffee
A £1.80
B £2.80
C £3.80
Can you claim said coffee as a legitimate disbursement under legal aid
A yes
B no
C yes but no but yes
If C do Crown Courts charge more?
A yes
B obviously yes
C if A or B where?