Reading Better - Reading Crown Court

: Defendants on bail often face months or years of uncertainty before their cases are heard.

: The court has six permanent courtrooms but frequently relies on adjacent Magistrates' Courts or satellite venues like Cheshunt and Watford to manage the volume.

To counter these pressures, Reading Crown Court has implemented a . reading crown court reading better

: 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 program focuses on "short bail cases"—offenses where the evidence indicates a high likelihood of resolution without a full trial. : Defendants on bail often face months or

: 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 : Situated at The Old Shire Hall, The

Reading Crown Court's "Reading Better" initiative is a designed to tackle a record-breaking case backlog by expediting hearings for specific low-complexity offenses. By dedicating one of its eight courtrooms to this initiative, the facility aims to resolve cases where evidence suggests a trial might be avoided, ensuring more efficient delivery of justice for the Berkshire community. The Crisis: Addressing the Judicial Backlog

For those attending the court as a juror, witness, or legal professional, modernizing the experience is a core part of the "Reading Better" philosophy.

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: