Judge says courts'overstretched'

Judge says courts'overstretched'

The most senior judge in England and Wales has said a "stream" of legislation had contributed to courts being "seriously overstretched".

In his annual review of the courts, The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips, said some legislation reflects the "politicisation" of sentencing.

And he said a new judicial appointments system had caused a shortage of judges.

The Judicial Appointments Commission said average waiting times for new judges had been reduced.

A spokeswoman for the body, which is involved in the new system for appointing judges, said: "The Judicial Appointments Commission has reduced the average time for the stages under its control - from closing date for applications to submission of selections to the Lord Chancellor - from 24 weeks under the former DCA to 19 weeks."