The Ministry of Justice has announced an increase in Crown Court sitting days which will allow judges to sit for a total of 111,250 days next year.
The Bar Council has welcomed the increase but warns that more sitting days and long-term investment are needed to reduce the criminal court backlog.
Chair of the Bar Council Barbara Mills KC said: "This increase in sitting days for the Crown Courts is a positive step to tackle the criminal court backlog, which stands at a record-high with some trial dates being set as far ahead as 2029.
"However, continuing to limit the number of sitting days will mean the backlog is only being chipped away. To have an immediate and significant impact on the delays, there should be no limit to the number of days that courts can sit."
Sir Brian Leveson has been conducting a review to identify ways to reform the criminal justice system. Removing jury trials for some offences and establishing a Crown Court Bench Division, are among his recommendations.
Barbara Mills KC added: "Rather than introducing new courts, which will require time and significant resource to establish, further contributing to the delays, we need investment to support uncapped sitting days, increased resources for legal professionals, and a focus on rehabilitation programmes and out of court disposals, to reduce the number of cases going into court in the first place."