Backlog of cases in our courts is a serious emergency, says David Lammy

19 January 2021, 16:42

David Lammy: Backlog of cases in our courts is a serious emergency
David Lammy: Backlog of cases in our courts is a serious emergency. Picture: LBC/PA

By Sam Sholli

This is the moment David Lammy told LBC that there is a "mounting problem of a backlog in our courts of cases", representing a "serious emergency".

The Shadow Justice Secretary and LBC presenter made the remarks while speaking to Shelagh Fogarty about the impact of Covid on the justice system.

It comes after new figures have shown an estimated one in eight people had been infected with Covid-19 in England by December last year.

We still have people claiming lockdowns are not needed!

Speaking of the virus' impact on the courts, Mr Lammy told Shelagh: "We've got a serious emergency now breaking across the country.

"And Shelagh, just to put this in context, what it means is very sadly if you've been the victim of crime, if you've experienced a murder in your family, if you've experienced domestic violence or rape or burglary, I'm afraid the chances of that getting to a hearing now are about four years away.

David Lammy's powerful monologue on black skepticism for Covid vaccine

"And in some cases the evidence will be lost because time passes so the case doesn't come forward.

"So it's very serious to have this mounting problem of a backlog in our courts of cases moving through the system."

He tweeted about the issue: "Since the start of the coronavirus crisis, the Ministry of Justice has dithered and delayed, allowing the backlog to grow to more than 50,000 cases.

"Massive delays to justice are letting victims down."

The Law Society said the Crown court backlog was already substantial prior to the pandemic. 

David Greene, president, said: "Given the continuing impact of the pandemic - including the new more easily transmissible coronavirus variant - we have called for further steps to be taken to make the courts safer for all users. The gains sought to be achieved in pressing on regardless will be lost if such measures are not put in place.

"This is likely to lead to yet further delays due to court closures following outbreaks of coronavirus and due to staff, lawyers, judiciary and parties falling sick."

More Shelagh Fogarty News

See more More Shelagh Fogarty News

The Princess of Wales says she edited the photograph that was released to mark Mother's Day.

The insistence that we see Kate is tantamount to stalking, writes Shelagh Fogarty

Caller tells Shelagh his solution to illegal immigration.

LBC caller tells Shelagh Fogarty that the Channel islands are the answer to 'illegal immigration'

'Rishi Sunak chooses to do the self interested party politics': Shelagh Fogarty reflects on Tories' immigration policies

'Rishi Sunak chooses to do the self-interested party politics': Shelagh Fogarty reflects on Tories' migration policies

Shelagh Fogarty

Former Treasury official outlines 'three immediate priorities' likely to be reflected in Autumn Statement

Shelagh Fogarty

Suella Braverman's hardline crime bill seems like she's ‘interviewing' for career at ‘pathetic’ news channels, says caller

Shelagh and caller Sam

Anti-Semitic chants and actions 'delegitimize' pro-Palestinian cause asserts this Shelagh Fogarty caller

Shelagh and Ricardo Dos Santos

'It's sickening': Ricardo Dos Santos speaks to Shelagh Fogarty as two officers sacked over stop and search

Shelagh

Rishi Sunak has 'failed monumentally' to 'humanise' both sides of the Israel-Hamas conflict says Israel expert

Shelagh and Callum

Twitter is a 'particularly dangerous' place to get information now says the Centre for Countering Digital Hate

Shelagh and caller Simon

LBC caller details 'disgusting anti-Semitic' act he witnessed, as hate crimes rise in fall out of Israel-Hamas war

Sister of missing Israeli woman

'We hope she's hiding somewhere': Sister of missing Israeli festival goer fears she is being held hostage by Hamas

Distraught caller on Israel-Gaza conflict.

'This is a war against Hamas!': Distraught caller wants Israel and Palestine to take down the 'enemy' together

Shelagh and Alicia Kearns

Head of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee expresses concern over Israeli 'siege of Gaza'

Shelagh Fogarty caller on facial recognition.

This caller lacks 'trust' in the government's handling of the AI facial recognition debate

Shelagh condemns PM's comments on 'dignity' of the elderly.

'He painted a picture of a Britain that the Conservatives meant to build...': Shelagh Fogarty condemns PM's suggestion that elderly have 'dignity'

Shelagh Fogarty on Jenrick

'We're full aren't we?': Shelagh questions Robert Jenrick's motive behind encouraging Brits to increase birth rate