AI in Crown Courts: Lammy Warns of Risks as Backlog Hits 80,000

Britain's Crown Court system is buckling under a record backlog exceeding 80,000 cases, more than double the 38,108 recorded in 2019, leaving victims of violence, sexual offences and fraud waiting years for resolution. Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has now placed his faith in artificial intelligence to accelerate transcription, case prioritisation and administrative work, beginning with pilots already running in Chatham, Kent. Yet the announcement, made during London Tech Week on 9 June 2026, carries explicit cautions that the technology "can go wrong" without rigorous safeguards.

AI Pilots Target Crown Court Backlog as Lammy Rolls Out Digital Tools

London, UK – 10 June 2026 — The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that AI transcription tools, already operating in probation offices in Kent, will expand first to immigration and asylum courts before wider deployment across Crown Courts in England and Wales. The technology transcribes offender interviews in real time, eliminating thousands of hours previously spent on post-meeting paperwork. Officials state this will free staff to focus on public protection rather than routine administration.

The Scale of the Crisis Facing Regional Courts

Current figures reveal the depth of the problem. More than 2,600 Crown Court trials remain unlisted until at least 2028, with 29 trials not scheduled until 2030. Courts in Manchester, Inner London, Cardiff, Birmingham and Newcastle are among those most severely affected, with victims in sexual offence and fraud cases experiencing prolonged uncertainty. The Ministry of Justice attributes part of the delay to chronic understaffing and outdated systems, problems that predate the current government but have intensified since the pandemic.

Local impact is acute. In Cardiff, families of victims have reported mental health deterioration while awaiting trial dates that stretch into the late 2020s. Similar stories emerge from Birmingham Crown Court, where defence solicitors describe clients held on remand for extended periods because listing backlogs prevent timely hearings. The government's AI initiative is presented as a direct response to these regional pressures.

Lammy's Defence of AI Adoption During London Tech Week

Speaking on 9 June, Lammy rejected suggestions that Britain is lagging behind the United States and China. "I'm hugely excited that our judges, our prosecutors, our lawyers are adopting AI, using it to speed up how they work," he told Channel 4 News. He emphasised that AI would augment professional decision-making rather than replace it, stating it is "very unlikely" that AI will replace defence lawyers, family lawyers or judges.

The Justice Secretary acknowledged job losses are possible but argued the UK must stay "ahead of the curve". New AI assistants will help prioritise trial-ready cases, with initial rollout focused on immigration and asylum proceedings where administrative volume is highest. The Ministry of Justice claims these measures will ultimately protect the public by redirecting thousands of staff hours away from paperwork.

Warnings Over Hallucinations and Due Process Risks

Lammy was candid about limitations. When asked about AI "hallucinations" in evidence gathering, sentencing or bail decisions, he replied: "It can go wrong, of course it can. It's why piloting is really important with the right guardrails, with the right safeguards. You have to start slow and in a considered way, pilot carefully, and put in the learning."

Legal experts have echoed these concerns. They warn that errors in AI-generated case summaries or risk assessments could undermine due process, particularly in complex fraud or sexual offence trials. The Ministry of Justice has committed to controlled pilot environments before any wider rollout, yet critics argue the pace may still outstrip the development of adequate oversight mechanisms.

Criticism That AI Serves as a Cheap Alternative to Funding

Opposition voices and trade unions contend the technology is being positioned as a substitute for increased investment in judges, courtrooms and administrative staff. Unison has called for the rescinding of Palantir contracts with the NHS and Met Police, contracts now under review following the Justice Secretary's remarks. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also expressed opposition to Met Police use of Palantir systems.

Additional pressure comes from proposals to reduce jury trials for "either way" offences, a move Lammy faces scrutiny over in Parliament. Campaigners argue that limiting jury involvement alongside AI expansion risks eroding public confidence in the justice system across England and Wales.

Broader Political Context and Social Media Pressures

The AI announcement coincides with separate government consideration of a social media ban for under-16s, an issue nine out of ten parents have raised with ministers. Lammy's dual role as Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister places him at the centre of debates linking technology, youth protection and institutional reform. The Ministry of Justice maintains that AI deployment will remain incremental, with learning from immigration court pilots informing future decisions in criminal proceedings.

Regional disparities remain stark. While London Tech Week showcased ambitious plans, courts in Newcastle and Manchester continue to list cases years into the future. Victims' groups in these areas have welcomed any measure that might accelerate hearings, yet they stress that technology must not compromise accuracy or fairness.

The Ministry of Justice has reiterated that AI will never replace judicial decision-making. Pilots will be evaluated against strict criteria before expansion, with particular attention paid to error rates in transcription and case prioritisation tools. As the backlog continues to grow, the coming months will test whether these safeguards prove sufficient to maintain public trust in the Crown Court system.

By Erica Thornton, Staff Writer