The magistrates’ court backlog has also increased, rising from 352,193 in July to 360,611 at the end of August.
The increase coincides with a national strike by criminal barristers, which was paused this month following a refreshed offer on the 15% fee increase by the justice secretary. However, solicitors say their fees proposal amounts only to a 9% rise, and are warning they will leave criminal practice altogether.
Law Society president Lubna Shuja said: ‘Criminal defence solicitors are needed more than ever to help tackle these unprecedented backlogs in our criminal courts and yet government is still refusing to give them parity with barristers.’