Woolwich Crown Court is the primary court for serious criminal cases committed in Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham.
It also frequently serves as the venue for terror trials due to its position right next to HMP Belmarsh.
New data has revealed that the crown court backlog across England and Wales has risen to a record high, passing 75,000 cases for the first time.
The result is that trials are being listed for 2029 – leaving defendants and victims waiting up to four years for justice.
Responding to the national figures, courts and legal services minister Sarah Sackman KC said the current rate of increase could see the backlog hit 100,000 before 2028.
This is earlier than the minister’s previous warning that it could hit the milestone by the end of 2029.
Ms Sackman said: “Despite the hard work of people across the criminal justice system the situation in our crown court is reaching breaking point.
“We inherited a courts crisis with an ever-growing backlog which, at its current rate of increase, will hit 100,000 before 2028.
“It is simply unacceptable that any victim has to wait years to see justice done and it is clear the status quo is not working.
“Only radical reform can deliver swifter justice for victims and that is why we asked Sir Brian Leveson to make recommendations for once-in-a-generation change, to be published in the coming weeks.”
The Leveson review is expected to give recommendations on how to overhaul the court system.
The government has already agreed to implement a raft of reforms following an independent sentencing review by former justice secretary David Gauke to tackle jail overcrowding.
