Barristers welcome reopening but warn against cutting jury trials
Barristers have welcomed the reopening of Harrow Crown Court, describing it as a practical step towards reducing criminal case backlogs, while raising concerns about wider government reform proposals.
The court reopened in April 2026 after being closed since August 2023 due to issues linked to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). The closure formed part of a wider safety response that affected multiple public buildings across the UK.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed that £26 million has been spent on repairs and upgrades to the site. The work included structural safety improvements and the installation of updated courtroom technology across its eight courtrooms.
While welcoming the reopening, representatives of the Bar Council questioned whether the expenditure should be characterised as investment, noting that much of the work related to essential repairs rather than expansion.
Claire Davies KC, Leader of the South Eastern Circuit, highlighted the operational impact of the court’s closure. Giving evidence to a parliamentary committee in March, she explained that the loss of courtroom capacity had contributed to rising backlogs in nearby courts.
She stated that when Harrow closed, courtrooms in other locations were repurposed to absorb demand, which reduced overall capacity and increased delays. Following the reopening, she said the restored courtrooms should now help ease pressure across the circuit.
Davies welcomed the return of all eight courtrooms into operation, noting that it would free up additional capacity in other courts, including magistrates’ courts that had been used to support Crown Court work during the closure.
Kirsty Brimelow KC, Chair of the Bar Council, also supported the reopening but called for broader action. She stated that reopening courts and ensuring adequate staffing levels should be prioritised as part of efforts to reduce the backlog of cases.
Brimelow further emphasised the need to implement previously announced legal aid increases and to prioritise specialist courts, including those dealing with domestic abuse and sexual offences.
The Bar Council reiterated its position that limiting jury trials would not address the backlog. It stated that there is no evidence to support the view that restricting jury trials would reduce the number of outstanding cases, which currently stands at approximately 80,000 in the Crown Court.
The reopening comes as the Courts and Tribunals Bill continues to undergo scrutiny in Parliament. A proposed amendment to remove provisions relating to jury trial reductions was recently rejected by a parliamentary committee.
The Bar Council, alongside the Criminal Bar Association and circuit leaders, has indicated that it will continue to oppose changes affecting jury trials while advocating for investment in court infrastructure and operational capacity.