Court Delays
Sample letter
A more detailed version, including official statistics, relevant sources and links, will be available to download at the bottom of this page.
To be personalised and sent by the individual sender
Issue: Court Delays & Access to Justice
Who to send it to: Your MP
Purpose: To raise concerns about delays in criminal proceedings, the impact on victims, witnesses, defendants and families, and the measures being taken to improve court capacity, case progression and access to justice.
Letter template
[Your Full Name]
[Your Street Address]
[Town/City]
[Postcode]
[Email Address]
[Date]
[MP's Name] MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
Subject: Criminal court delays and the impact on victims, defendants and families
Dear [MP's Name],
Justice Delayed. Lives Put on Hold. Who Is Accountable?
I am writing as one of your constituents to express concern about the continuing delays across the criminal justice system in England and Wales and the consequences for people waiting for their cases to be heard.
For victims and witnesses, prolonged delays can mean months or years of uncertainty, anxiety and emotional distress. Some must repeatedly prepare themselves to give evidence, only for hearings to be postponed.
For defendants, lengthy proceedings can affect employment, housing, family relationships, mental health and the ability to move forward with their lives. Those remanded in custody may face particularly serious consequences while awaiting trial.
Families are also affected. Relationships can suffer, financial pressures may increase, and children can experience prolonged uncertainty about what will happen next.
A criminal case does not stop affecting people's lives simply because a court hearing has been postponed.
According to the Ministry of Justice's Criminal Court Statistics Quarterly: April to June 2026, there were 80,829 open Crown Court cases and 380,230 open magistrates' court cases at the end of June 2026.
The same publication recorded 23,706 Crown Court cases open for a year or more.
These figures raise important questions about the capacity of the criminal courts, case progression and the long-term consequences for everyone involved.
Official source: Ministry of Justice — Criminal Court Statistics, April to June 2026.
I recognise that criminal proceedings must be conducted fairly and carefully, with sufficient time to examine evidence and protect the rights of all parties. However, avoidable delays should not become an accepted feature of accessing justice.
I would appreciate answers to the following questions:
What measures are being taken to reduce the number of criminal cases awaiting hearings in the Crown Court and magistrates' courts?
How is the Government addressing shortages of court capacity, judicial availability, legal professionals and other resources affecting case progression?
What support is available for victims and witnesses experiencing prolonged delays, particularly in serious violence and sexual offence cases?
How are the consequences of delays being assessed for defendants, including those held on remand and those subject to lengthy bail conditions?
What steps are being taken to reduce ineffective hearings, repeated adjournments and cases postponed at short notice?
How will the Government measure progress in reducing waiting times while maintaining fair trials, due process and public confidence in the justice system?
Justice must be fair, accessible and delivered within a reasonable time.
I would welcome information about what action is being taken nationally and within our region to address criminal court delays.
I would also appreciate knowing how victims, witnesses, defendants and families are being included in discussions about improving the criminal justice system.
Behind every outstanding case are people whose lives may be waiting for an outcome.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
Before sending
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How to personalise this letter
Replace the details in square brackets with your own information.
You may wish to explain how court delays have affected you, your family or your community, including postponed hearings, uncertainty, emotional distress or financial difficulties.
Only share information you feel comfortable disclosing. Avoid including confidential details about ongoing criminal proceedings or information that could identify vulnerable individuals.
Additional information
For official statistics on court delays and outstanding criminal cases:
Ministry of Justice — Criminal Court Statistics, April to June 2026
Download the detailed letter
A detailed, editable Word version of this letter, including additional statistics, legal context and official sources, will be available below.
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Download the letter here