Justice Secretary David Lammy has declared that the new Labour government has inherited a courts emergency, with sweeping reforms expected next week that could see the majority of jury trials abolished in England and Wales.
A System Pushed to the Brink
The Deputy Prime Minister is set to outline the government's blueprint for a fair and fast criminal justice system, confronting a staggering backlog of nearly 80,000 cases waiting to be heard in the Crown Court. Official figures paint a dire picture, with some trial dates scheduled as far away as 2030. Without immediate intervention, this number is projected to climb to 100,000.
The human cost of this delay is immense. Damning statistics reveal that 60% of rape victims are now withdrawing from the process before their case reaches trial. Furthermore, almost half of all open cases involve violent and sexual offences. This has led to a crisis in confidence, with just 42% of victims believing they will receive justice if they report a crime.
Proposed Reforms and Legal Backlash
The proposed solution, expected to be unveiled in detail next week, draws on a review by Sir Brian Leveson. The plan would reserve juries for only the most serious cases. Lesser offences would be diverted to magistrates' courts or a new Crown Court Bench Division where trials would be heard by judges alone.
Currently, only about 3% of criminal cases are heard by a judge and jury, with over 90% already handled by magistrates. However, the proposed expansion of judge-only trials has sparked a furious backlash from legal professionals.
The Bar Council, representing barristers in England and Wales, has warned that such radical changes could decimate public trust in the justice system. The Criminal Bar Association has gone further, labelling the move a coordinated campaign against public justice.
A Pledge to Put Victims First
Ahead of the reforms, Mr Lammy stated: We inherited a courts emergency; a justice system pushed to the brink. We will not allow victims to suffer the way they did under the last government, we must put victims front and centre of the justice system.
He emphasised the human stories behind the statistics, citing examples such as a rape victim being told their case won't be heard until 2029 and a mother waiting for justice after losing a child to a dangerous driver. For many victims, he said, justice delayed is justice denied.
The government now faces the dual challenge of tackling a monumental backlog while navigating significant legal opposition to its proposed methods.
