By Jonathan Ley, Founder & CEO, Make Time Count Today
The publication of Sir Brian Leveson’s Independent Review of the Criminal Courts is a watershed moment for the UK’s justice system. It lays bare the profound challenges we face, particularly the overwhelming caseload in the Crown Court, and rightly calls for “a radical and essential package of measures” to prevent a total collapse.
At Make Time Count, we welcome this comprehensive analysis. For years, we have been working at the frontier of the criminal justice innovation, developing technological solutions to the very problems the Review articulates. While the entire report deserves close attention, it is Chapter 3, focusing on “Diversions,” that resonates most powerfully with our mission and offers an immediate, actionable path forward for police forces across the country.
A Welcome Endorsement of a Smarter Approach
Chapter 3 of the Review rightly identifies Out of Court Resolutions (OOCRs) as a “flexible, cost-effective and alternative initiative to court proceedings in relation to low-level offences.” This is a principle we have long championed, and we were heartened to see Sir Brian Leveson’s clear endorsement. The evidence, as the report notes, is compelling: when applied correctly, OOCRs can reduce reoffending, improve victim satisfaction, and crucially, free up police and court time to focus on the more serious crimes that cause the most harm to our communities. It represents a more intelligent, rehabilitative approach to justice that seeks to solve problems rather than simply process them.
So, given these clear benefits, why does the Review highlight the stark reality of a 35% decrease in the use of OOCRs since 2015? The report hints at the reasons: inconsistencies across forces, a lack of awareness of available programmes, and the sheer complexity of the process. Our own journey at Make Time Count, which began after witnessing the operational challenges within London Probation, supports this diagnosis. The concept of diversion has not failed; its implementation has been failing for years. The decline is not due to a lack of will, but a lack of effective tools. For too long, an officer on the street has been faced with:
- Significant administrative burden to issue a conditional caution
- Navigating paper-based systems with little to no visibility of the support services available
- No simple way to track offender compliance
This has created a natural, if unfortunate, lack of confidence in the process, making a straightforward charge to court seem like the easier and safer option, even if it’s not the most effective outcome for the victim, the offender, or the system.
This is precisely the implementation gap that motivated the creation of Make Time Count. We saw a powerful idea being stifled by outdated methodology and asked a simple question: “How can we help?”. We knew technology was the key to unlocking the true potential of OOCRs. The problem wasn’t a lack of intent, but the absence of a modern infrastructure to support it. By creating a single, connected digital platform, we remove the administrative friction that has long been the primary barrier to adoption. We provide officers with a clear, vetted network of support partners – our “AirBnb for Help” – and give them real-time visibility of an offender’s journey, from referral to completion. This builds the confidence needed to use OOCRs more widely, transforming a complex, time-consuming task into a streamlined, powerful tool for 21st-century policing. We have built the very solution that addresses the issues the Review identifies as the core reasons for the decline in diversions.
Here’s How We Deliver on the Review’s Vision
It’s one thing to agree with the principles of reform; it’s another to have a ready-made solution. At Make Time Count, we have been laser-focused on these issues, and our platform directly delivers on the core recommendations of Chapter 3:
- A National, Consistent Approach (Recommendation 1 & 2): The Review calls for a standard, national approach to OOCRs to end the current “postcode lottery.” Our platform provides exactly this: a consistent digital framework with an in-built eligibility screening tool. This guides officers to identify suitable cases for diversion and, using an integrated sentencing guidelines tool, helps them make defensible, proportionate decisions every time. This removes guesswork and provides the robust, standardised administration the Review calls for.
- Retrospective Application to Clear the Backlog (Recommendation 3): The Review encourages the police and CPS to review existing caseloads to identify cases suitable for diversion. We conducted exactly this review as aprt of ur Innovate UK funded project. Concluded that a significant proporttion of the “75% of low level offences that result in fine or compensation of under £250” could have been dealt with as a OoCR. Our platform is built to handle this retrospective application, offering a tangible way to immediately reduce the pressure on our courts.
- Investment in Rehabilitation (Recommendation 6): Effective diversion requires a network of high-quality rehabilitation services. The Review’s call for greater investment in these programs is vital. Our platform makes this a reality by fostering the multi-agency collaboration required to deliver them. Make Time Count provides access to the largest network of commissioned and third-sector services nationwide, enhanced by our collaboration with CLINKS, which opens up a network of over 720 partners to police forces.
- Digital Transformation (Recommendation 4): The government is rightly encouraged to evaluate digital tools. We are proud to say that the business case Make Time Count has already been proven to reduce the admin overhead equivalent to 551 officers worth of time. We have moved beyond the pilot stage to a proven, operational platform that is saving officer time and improving outcomes today.
A Call to Action for Police Forces
Sir Brian Leveson’s Review provides a clear roadmap for a more effective and efficient criminal justice system. Chapter 3, in particular, offers an opportunity for immediate and impactful change.
The question for police forces is no longer “what should we do?” but “how can we do it?”
The answer lies in embracing proven, effective technology. Make Time Count has already built the tools you need to implement the recommendations of this Review. Our platform can help you:
- ncrease your use of OOCRs in a consistent, defensible, and proportionate manner.
- Reduce the administrative burden on your officers, saving time and money.
- Improve victim satisfaction by ensuring their voices are heard and that justice is delivered swiftly.
- Tackle the root causes of offending by connecting individuals with the support they need to change their lives.
The crisis in our criminal courts demands bold and innovative solutions. We urge police forces across the country to see this Review as a call to action. We are ready to work with you to implement these recommendations and build a more effective, efficient, and ultimately, a more just criminal justice system for all.
To learn more about how Make Time Count can help your force implement the recommendations of the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, please get in touch for a demonstration of our platform.
Contact me at: jonathan.m.ley@maketimecount.today