To counter these pressures, Reading Crown Court has implemented a .
The launch of the "Reading Better" strategy comes at a critical time for the UK legal system. By late 2025, the national Crown Court backlog reached a staggering . Reading Crown Court specifically faced an all-time high in pending trials, leading to the following challenges:
: One courtroom is specifically allocated to these expedited hearings, preventing them from being buried under more complex, long-term trials. reading crown court reading better
: The program focuses on "short bail cases"—offenses where the evidence indicates a high likelihood of resolution without a full trial.
: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (closes at 4:30 pm on Fridays). To counter these pressures, Reading Crown Court has
: Situated at The Old Shire Hall, The Forbury, Reading, RG1 2QH , the Grade II listed building blends historic Victorian architecture with modernist judicial infrastructure.
: The court has six permanent courtrooms but frequently relies on adjacent Magistrates' Courts or satellite venues like Cheshunt and Watford to manage the volume. Reading Crown Court specifically faced an all-time high
: The facility is approximately 2,300 feet from Reading Station , making it highly accessible via the Great Western Railway or the Line 21 bus . Operating Hours : Building : 8:30 am – 5:30 pm (Monday – Friday).
: Under the principle of "Open Justice," the court now allows members of the public and press to apply for remote observation of certain hearings, provided they apply in advance. Long-Term Improvements and Expansion
: Defendants on bail often face months or years of uncertainty before their cases are heard.