$20m package to cut NSW court backlog

Extra sitting weeks will be part of a $20 million plan to cut the delay in criminal trials reaching the NSW District Court.

Attorney-general Gabrielle Upton says the package will help reduce the court's backlog by more than 600 trials over the next two years and ensure people - particularly victims of crime - get access to justice faster.

It includes extra sitting weeks in western Sydney and regional courts and the appointment of acting judges and more public defenders, as well as pre-trial conferencing and call-over courts to encourage early guilty pleas.

"Delays put victims through undue stress, make it harder for witnesses to recall key details and strain the resources of the justice system," Ms Upton said in a statement on Sunday.

"This is going to make a real difference to our justice system and more importantly to people's lives."

By September 2015, the NSW District Court had a backlog of 2055 criminal cases.

In 2014, it took on average 358 days for a matter to be finalised in the district court where the accused was on bail, up 28 per cent on 2007.

"The package will alleviate the pressure in the district court in the short term, allowing the government to work with key stakeholders on systemic reform," Ms Upton said.

WHAT $20m WILL GET YOU:

- extra criminal sitting weeks in regional areas and western Sydney from now to June 2016

- trial of call-over courts to identify matters that can be resolved with early guilty plea

- pre-trial conferencing between prosecution/defence ahead of long trials to ensure early resolution

- appointment of acting judges to hear more matters awaiting trial

- appointment of more public defenders