A £34 million annual boost to criminal legal aid has been announced by the government in an effort to address the UK's court backlog and accelerate the delivery of justice. This significant injection of funds will be directed at strengthening the legal sector, enabling a greater number of cases to be heard, and ultimately reducing the substantial backlog of cases currently pending.
Under new proposals, barristers undertaking legal aid work can expect an average fee increase of 11%, with those dealing with complex cases such as rape and serious sexual offences set to receive even higher rises – in some instances up to nearly 50% above current levels. These increases reflect the unique demands placed on barristers handling these sensitive and intricate cases.
The financial package, which includes £3.5 million allocated for preparatory fees to aid trial readiness, aims to ensure that criminal legal aid remains an attractive career path, capable of drawing in and retaining skilled professionals. By enhancing capacity across the legal sector, the initiative seeks to enable more cases to proceed, thereby cutting the current court backlog and ensuring victims can access justice without undue delay.
Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman KC MP, emphasised the importance of timely justice for victims, stating that the investment would support barristers in keeping cases moving and bringing offenders to justice. She highlighted that the funding will strengthen the legal aid sector, increase the number of cases heard, and contribute to reducing the backlog.
Further proposals are also under consideration, including higher fees for barristers when defendants enter guilty pleas and for plea and trial preparation hearings, as well as fee increases for appeals in magistrates’ courts and the Court of Appeal. These changes aim to better reflect the complexity, expertise, and preparation required for these cases, while supporting junior barristers and fostering a more robust pipeline of legal talent.