Sir Brian Leveson, leading the government review on the backlog of criminal cases, highlighted the critical need for reforms in the UK criminal justice system. With over 73,000 trials pending and listings running into 2027, Leveson emphasized that current court delays are unacceptable for victims and defendants. He proposed the creation of intermediate courts and potentially expanded roles for magistrates to expedite proceedings. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the situation as “unprecedented,” calling for innovative solutions to ensure swift justice.