Temporary court in Sussex to be made permanent amid 'agonising delays'

Fleetwood's 'Nightingale' court to become permanent in bid to tackle backlog

Fleetwood’s temporary court, set up during the Covid-19 pandemic, is being made permanent to help reduce a growing crown court backlog

'I’m delighted' - West Sussex MP reacts to news that crown court will be used permanently again

The MP for Chichester has welcomed the news that the city’s crown court will be used permanently once again.

Temporary court in Sussex to be made permanent amid 'agonising delays'

A Nightingale court in Chichester set up during the Covid-19 pandemic will be made permanent in an effort to cut court backlogs.

UK Temporary Covid Courts Become Permanent

For thousands of victims across England and Wales, justice has often felt painfully slow, trapped in a system weighed down by backlogs, ageing buildings and years of underinvestment. For many in diaspora communities, these delays have compounded an already fragile trust in the legal system, particularly for those navigating language barriers, immigration concerns or unfamiliar court processes. That may now be starting to change. The government h…

Barrister Jessica Sobey comments on the criminal court backlog, in Global Legal Insights

Barrister Jessica Sobey comments on the decision to make four former Nightingale Court buildings permanent, a move intended to address mounting concerns around court capacity and resourcing across the criminal justice system. Jessica’s comments were published in Global Legal Insights, 28 January 2026. “Whilst an acknowledgment that the system is in dire need of additional court capacity is undoubtedly welcome, this announcement ultimately does l…

Four nightingale courts made permanent in push to cut court backlogs

Four temporary courts set up during the Covid-19 pandemic will be made permanent in an effort to cut court backlogs. Former court buildings in Fleetwood, Telford, Chichester and Cirencester will become part of the estate, providing an extra 11 courtrooms, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said. Temporary nightingale courts were introduced during the pandemic to provide additional space for hearings, but many were kept open for years. Data published …