Free public tracker — updated quarterly
UK Crown Court Wait Times — Oct 2025 – Dec 2025
Median weeks from issue to trial across England and Wales, by circuit. Pulled directly from official HMCTS Criminal Court Statistics, with quarterly updates. Free to read. Sign up below for the weekly briefing.
National median wait
9.8 weeks
England and Wales, all offences
Longest-waiting circuit
15.2 wks
London
4-year change
-3.7 wks
vs. same quarter 4 years ago
Median wait by circuit
Oct 2025 – Dec 2025
National trend
Last 20 quarters
Crown Court circuits — full ranking
Median weeks issue to trial, all offences
| Rank | Circuit | Median wait | vs. national median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | London | 15.2 wks | +5.4 wks |
| 2 | South East | 12.8 wks | +3.0 wks |
| 3 | Midland | 10.4 wks | +0.6 wks |
| 4 | Western | 9.8 wks | 0.0 wks |
| 5 | North Eastern | 9.1 wks | -0.7 wks |
| 6 | Northern | 8.6 wks | -1.2 wks |
| 7 | Wales | 7.9 wks | -1.9 wks |
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