OXFORD'S courts are set to be overwhelmed with work and "inundated" with new cases once the coronavirus crisis is over, a judge has said.

District judge Kamlesh Rana made the stark warning while discussing a new trial date for an assault case at Oxford Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

That case, along with many others at the magistrates' court, as well as at Oxford Crown Court, have had their trial fixtures suspended with no new trials currently going ahead.

She told the court at the hearing: "I am very much aware that once the crisis is over we are going to be inundated with work.

"At this stage we don't know when the lockdown is going to be lifted."

It comes after other high profile trials were also put in jeopardy with one judge claiming earlier this week that there was only a "remote possibility" the trial into an alleged murder in Didcot would go ahead in June.

Isaac Boyland, 19, of Marlborough Road, Oxford, Brookton Lagan, 18, of Robin Way, Didcot, and Taison Cyrille, also 18, of Market End Way, Bicester, are all charged with one count of murder and two counts of grievous bodily harm.

At a pre-trial hearing at Oxford Crown Court on April 7 - the first the Oxford Mail joined remotely via Skype - presiding Judge Ian Pringle QC said that because of the current coronavirus lockdown the possibility of the trial taking place on June 15 was 'remote'.

Elsewhere, the major trial into the alleged killing of PC Andrew Harper had to be halted at the Old Bailey after three jurors went into self-isolation.

At court the presiding judge, Mr Justice Edis, said that the trial would not resume until at least June of this year.

Responding to the comments and the concerns aired by local judges the Crown Prosecution Service told the Oxford Mail the situation was an 'evolving picture' that everybody was adapting to.

A spokesperson said in a statement: "The CPS is carefully following Government advice and guidance while keeping our own operations under constant review.

“We will continue to work with partners in the criminal justice system to ensure that urgent work can continue safely, using technology to minimise in-person contact wherever possible.

“Uppermost in our thinking is ensuring - in all our work - a safe environment for CPS staff, those we instruct to prosecute on our behalf and the public.”

The CPS did not answer if it would need additional resources to cope with the apparent influx once the lockdown is over.

Since the Covid-19 crisis HM Courts and Tribunals Service, which operate all of the countries court centres, including Oxford Crown Court and Oxford Magistrates' Court, have introduced social distancing measures and are using modern technology to continue to operate.

For the first time hearings at the crown court are being held almost entirely remotely, with participants other than judges and court staff, all present via Skype.

The Oxford Mail has continued to cover cases during the pandemic, and for the first time in this newspaper's history was last week able to report on a case remotely by connecting through a laptop.

So far, a total of 75 courts have now been suspended and all remain shut, with a further 116 'staffed' courts, where staff and judges will continue to work but will not be open to the public.

There are currently 160 'open courts', with Oxford's two courts staying open, and the magistrates' court taking additional work from Milton Keynes and High Wycombe.

In all, just 42 per cent of the 370 crown, magistrates', county and family courts and tribunals across England and Wales are open.

Before the lockdown was first announced the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Robert Buckland QC vowed to keep courts open where possible.

He said: "The rule of law is vital to a functioning democracy and even at times like these, it is essential that our independent courts are able to administer justice.

"Despite an unprecedented public health emergency, the Prime Minister and I are clear that our courts across England and Wales have a critical role to play and should go on sitting.

"We will continue to deliver justice to victims of crime, and as best as possible, keep our courts open.

"However, as I have agreed with the Lord Chief Justice, we need to adjust working practices to ensure our court system continues to function, even with a reduced capacity to hear some cases at this time."