Statistics reveal courts backlog nearly triple the recommended level THE justice system continues to struggle with a backlog nearly three times larger than the level recommended by productivity studies, new statistics reveal. Figures released today by the Courts Administration Authority show nearly one-third - or 29 per cent - of criminal cases pending in the state's Magistrates Courts are more than six months old. The Productivity Commission's Annual Report on Government Services states the national standard for the Magistrates Courts is that no more than 10 per cent of lodgements pending completion should be more than six months old. South Australia has 12 per cent of unfinalised cases that are more than 12 months old in the magistrates courts - the recommendation is 0 per cent. In the District Court, 19 per cent of unfinalised cases are more than 12 months old while four per cent are more than 24 months old. Today's release of data is part of the Courts Administration Authority's initiative to make it easier for the public to access information about the courts" workloads. In a statement, Supreme Court Chief Justice Chris Kourakis said the figures were used by the State Courts Administrative Council to monitor the workloads of the court, to consider changes in practices that might result in more effective deployment of resources to help manage spikes and lows. "It should be noted, however, that the data is so broad in nature that looking at it in isolation does not reveal the total picture of factors affecting efficiency and effectiveness," he said. Browse the SA courts performance statistics page here