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20 September 2023
Issue: 8041 / Categories: In court , Profession
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Woes in court

The backlog of cases in the Crown Court has risen again, from 59,361 in July 2022 to 64,015 in July this year, according to the latest government figures, released last week

The number of cases outstanding in the magistrates’ courts also rose, from 336,861 in July 2022 to 353,406 in July this year.

Law Society President Lubna Shuja said the government’s target of reducing the Crown Court backlog to 53,000 by March 2025 ‘now looks like wishful thinking’.

Meanwhile, Preston Magistrates’ Court this week became the second court to close, after Harrow Crown Court, due to concerns about reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

Issue: 8041 / Categories: In court , Profession
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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