The government and judiciary have confirmed a record, three‑year funding settlement for courts and tribunals, with Crown Courts in England and Wales funded to sit without a cap on days in 2026/27. The Ministry of Justice said the aim is to run the criminal courts at maximum capacity to speed up case resolution for victims. Published on Tuesday 24 February 2026, the announcement marks a shift to multi‑year planning for the system. (gov.uk)
For 2026/27, the courts and tribunals budget will be £2.785 billion, up from £2.538 billion in 2025/26. Of this, £2.498 billion is resource funding and £287 million capital for estate repairs and digital upgrades. Officials say firm funding commitments now extend to 2028/29, offering longer‑term stability for operational planning and reform. (gov.uk)
Unlimited sitting days mean listing offices will not be constrained by an annual ceiling set in advance; if judicial, estate and staffing capacity exist, a case can be heard. Magistrates’ courts are likewise funded to operate at their highest sustainable level. The policy applies for the financial year beginning 1 April 2026 and ending 31 March 2027. (gov.uk)
Ministers link the settlement to implementing recommendations from Sir Brian Leveson’s Independent Review of the Criminal Courts. Part 1 of the review explores options to ease Crown Court pressure, including judge‑only trials in specified complex fraud cases, jury waiver at a defendant’s request, and other structural changes to case allocation. (gov.uk)
The Ministry of Justice states the investment is intended to support these reforms, including judge‑only trials, to accelerate throughput. Separately, the Immigration and Asylum Chamber is funded for up to 26,000 sitting days in 2026/27-over 3,000 more than last year-with civil courts also set to receive higher investment. (gov.uk)
Digital modernisation forms part of the package, with the Deputy Prime Minister due to set out plans for greater use of artificial intelligence in court processes later today at the Microsoft AI Tour in London. The Ministry of Justice’s 2024/25 performance report notes recent focus on stabilising the Common Platform case‑management system and continuing estate improvements, providing immediate context for the new funding. (gov.uk)
Operational delivery will still hinge on system constraints outside budget lines. HMCTS board papers have highlighted pressure from prison capacity, while the Ministry of Justice records additional support to criminal legal aid and ongoing digital stabilisation work-factors that influence how far extra sitting days translate into completed trials. (gov.uk)
Policy Wire analysis: several review options-particularly judge‑only models and reclassification of offences-would require legislative change and procedural rule updates before implementation. The Leveson report sets out current law on jury trials and outlines models that depart from it, indicating the need for Parliament to act where government chooses to proceed. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
What to watch next is operational guidance on how unlimited days will be allocated across circuits, the timetable for introducing any Leveson‑linked measures, and detail on AI deployment in listings, disclosure and case management. The effectiveness test will be shorter waits for victims and more timely outcomes across jurisdictions. (gov.uk)