Jess Phillips reveals she is victim of courts backlog with case delayed until 2028

"I am a victim of the backlog, and I know what it feels like to be a victim of crime. I see the court system used to control victims all the time. It is a tactic that is well known among those who study stalking, and it has to change."

"It's OK for me. I've got extra security, I've got other safeguards. But imagine that was a breach of an order against a violent ex-husband, and it's going to be heard in more than two years' time. Are you joking? That's absolutely mental."

"Justice secretary David Lammy's reforms, which will remove the right to a trial by jury for crimes likely to receive a sentence of less than three years, have been met with fierce opposition from parts of the legal sector. They are part of a package of measures to tackle the backlog of 80,000 crown court cases."

Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips revealed she is a victim of the crown court backlog, with her case not scheduled for trial until 2028. She supports Justice Secretary David Lammy's controversial reforms to tackle the 80,000-case backlog, which include removing jury trial rights for crimes likely receiving sentences under three years, unlimited court sitting days, blitz courts, and increased AI use. Phillips emphasized that court delays are used as control tactics against victims, particularly in stalking and domestic abuse cases. She questioned why her case was sent to crown court rather than magistrates' court and highlighted the impact on vulnerable victims facing multi-year waits. Despite legal sector opposition, the Courts and Tribunals Bill passed its second reading with a 304-203 Commons vote.

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