In this episode of the Criminal Justice Matters podcast from the Criminal Bar Association of England and Wales, Kate Bex KC and Chris Henley KC talk to the Vice-President of the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, Lord Justice Edis.

In his 45 year career at the Bar Lord Justice Edis has held many distinguished roles including; Head of Chambers at Atlantic Chambers in Liverpool, Senior Treasury Counsel of the Central Criminal Court from 2008 until 2014, High Court Judge in the King’s Bench Division. As Senior Presiding Judge, he was closely involved in restarting jury trials following the Covid 19 pandemic. He has been Vice Chair of the Sentencing Council since August 2025 and he was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2021.

In the podcast Lord Justice Edis sets out his thoughts on the efforts being made to tackle the backlog of cases in the Crown Court, and describes the different use of listing practices in some circuits which are beginning to reap rewards in terms of cutting the backlog.

The podcast touches on the increased of use of Artificial Intelligence in the courts and the arguments for and against AI. The increased use of cameras in court is discussed and what impact that may have on the criminal justice system and the public’s perception of it.

And Lord Justice Edis reflects on the negative impact of dwindling ‘conviviality’ among legal professionals and talks about his experiences as a keen cricketer, representing his Chambers in matches played with and against his colleagues.

Criminal Justice Matters is produced and edited on behalf of the Criminal Bar Association by Adam Batstone Media & Communications