York Crown Court backlog rises 8 per cent to 457 open cases

The court had 457 open cases as of June 30, 2026, up from 423 on March 31, 2026.

The rise in backlog at York Crown Court is part of a broader national issue, but not all courts are experiencing the same trend.

Recommended reading:

Out of the 68 crown courts in England and Wales, 29 reported a decrease in open cases during the second quarter of the year.

This is according to an analysis of Ministry of Justice data by the Press Association.

Thirty-eight courts, however, saw their backlog increase, while one remained unchanged.

The largest numerical increases were seen in London-based courts: Snaresbrook, Isleworth, and Woolwich, with Newport Crown Court on the Isle of Wight experiencing the most significant percentage increase, at nearly 19%.

Some courts have managed to cut their backlog significantly.

Gloucester and Manchester Minshull Street courts reduced their backlog by more than 10% between March and June 2026.

Another 11, including Cambridge, Carlisle, Derby, Great Grimsby, Guildford, Kingston Upon Thames, Luton, Mold, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Salisbury, and Worcester, cut their backlog by between 5% and 10%.

The backlog of cases in crown courts has been a growing concern.