diff --git a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/license-review/pages/LicenseQueuePage.tsx b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/license-review/pages/LicenseQueuePage.tsx
index 2e489d968..7faf7b77a 100644
--- a/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/license-review/pages/LicenseQueuePage.tsx
+++ b/apps/backoffice/src/app/features/license-review/pages/LicenseQueuePage.tsx
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ import { setDensity } from '../../../store/preferences.slice';
 import { useAppDispatch, useAppSelector } from '../../../store/hooks';
 import { KEYBOARD_SHORTCUTS, useQueueKeyboard } from '../useQueueKeyboard';
 
-const PAGE_SIZE = 25;
+const PAGE_SIZE = 10;
 const SEARCH_DEBOUNCE_MS = 300;
 
 const ALL_STATUSES: LicenseStatus[] = [
@@ -132,6 +132,11 @@ export function LicenseQueuePage() {
       ...urlFilter,
       search: debouncedSearch || undefined,
       licenseTypeId: pinnedTypeId ?? urlFilter.licenseTypeId,
+      // No explicit sort in the URL or view → newest submissions first, so
+      // the queue opens showing what most needs attention rather than
+      // whatever order the backend happens to return.
+      sortBy: urlFilter.sortBy ?? 'submittedAt',
+      sortDir: urlFilter.sortDir ?? 'DESC',
       take: PAGE_SIZE,
       skip: (page - 1) * PAGE_SIZE,
     }),