National Listing Framework: A new approach to criminal listing – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
‘From 1 October 2026, the Practice Direction on Listing in the Criminal Courts introduces, for the first time, a National Listing Framework for Criminal Courts in England and Wales. It establishes common principles to guide judicial decision-making on listing whilst preserving the flexibility that justice requires in individual cases. It does not seek to impose rigid uniformity upon courts serving different communities; rather, it marks an important step towards a more consistent, transparent and principled approach to criminal listing, within which judicial discretion may continue to be exercised and local innovation may continue to flourish. It also provides a clearer understanding of the respective roles of judges, magistrates, HMCTS staff and practitioners in giving effect to those principles. This overview is intended to help everyone involved in criminal listing to understand what the Framework seeks to achieve and the part that each of us has to play in its success.’
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 8th September 2026
Source: www.judiciary.uk
