Defence lawyers say system is facing a crisis as over 1,600 cases have collapsed due to omission of key evidence
Defence lawyers have warned the court system in England and Wales is at breaking point as figures reveal a rising number of cases collapsing because of police and prosecution failures to disclose key evidence.
In the year to 30 June 2021, 1,648 cases collapsed over disclosure failures – more than double the number in 2015/16, according to Crown Prosecution Service figures.
