UK Doubles Magistrates’ Sentencing Powers to Tackle Backlog Caused by Pandemic

UK Doubles Magistrates’ Sentencing Powers to Tackle Backlog Caused by Pandemic
Undated photo showing Lady Justice statue on top of the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, commonly referred to as the Old Bailey, in central London. Clara Molden/PA
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The UK government has doubled the sentencing powers of magistrates in a bid to reduce the backlog in the criminal justice system that has been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Magistrates across England and Wales can now issue prison sentences of 12 months for a single offence, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said on May 2, adding that the move is expected to free up around 1,700 extra days of Crown Court time each year.