Technology to bolster justice for victims as government responds to Leveson

The Government will trial Virtual Remand Hearings in at least four police force areas, allowing defendants to appear via secure video link from custody suites. This aims to cut delays by avoiding transfers between cells, courts and prisons while enabling faster case progression. The move is part of a broader response to Lord Leveson’s review, which proposed modernising criminal courts to address record-high backlogs. Early assessments suggest the technology could help reduce the backlog by improving court efficiency.

The Government has accepted or accepted in principle nearly all 180 recommendations from Lord Leveson’s review, outlining a programme of investment and reform. This includes upgrading court technology, expanding remote hearings and increasing magistracy capacity to build a more resilient justice system. The response emphasises swifter justice for victims through modernisation and streamlined processes, with a focus on reducing unacceptable delays inherited by the current administration.

To further improve efficiency, the Government will invest up to £5 million to roll out specialist Case Coordinators in every Crown Court across England and Wales. These staff will work with judges, prosecutors and defence teams to identify and resolve case issues early, keeping proceedings on track and reducing avoidable delays. Their role is designed to ensure court time is used more effectively, helping deliver faster justice for victims.

Additional measures include enabling judges to hear cases remotely from anywhere in the country, digitally transferring cases to alleviate backlogs. New legislation will expand court broadcasting, allowing public access to proceedings in the Administrative Court and sentencing remarks by the Chief Magistrate. The Government will also amend the Courts and Tribunals Bill to remove proposals limiting jury trials, ensuring Crown Court cases continue to be heard by juries.