The court system is buckling under the weight of backlogs, inefficiencies, and an overstretched network of magistrates’ courts. In this response to the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, we oppose the creation of a new intermediate court tier and instead advocate for a multi-faceted solution.

We propose reclassifying a significant number of ‘either way’ offences as ‘summary only,’ ensuring they are handled exclusively in magistrates’ courts and thereby reducing pressure on Crown Courts. Additionally, we recommend targeted reforms focused on diversion from court, operational efficiency, and fairness within the magistrates’ courts.