Radical Overhaul Threatens Centuries-Old Justice System
A staggering 95 per cent of jury trials could disappear under controversial government plans that legal experts warn would fundamentally reshape Britain's justice system. The proposed reforms, spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy, represent the most significant changes to criminal courts in eight centuries.
Leaked documents reveal that the government intends to scrap jury trials for most offences, preserving them only for murder, rape, manslaughter and cases deemed to be in the 'public interest'. This dramatic shift would see approximately 77,941 criminal cases decided by a single judge rather than a jury of twelve citizens.
Backlash from Legal Professionals and MPs
The scale of the proposed cuts has triggered widespread alarm across the legal establishment. The Criminal Bar Association (CBA), representing barristers in England and Wales, conducted analysis showing that 95 per cent of cases would be affected by the changes.
CBA Chair Riel Karmy-Jones, KC, delivered a stark warning: "If the latest Government proposals are legislated for by Parliament it seems that about 95 per cent of trials would be heard by judge alone. There must be serious concerns about miscarriages of justice under these proposals."
Opposition politicians have joined the chorus of criticism. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and 54 other MPs have sent a joint letter demanding the government increase court sitting days instead of taking what they describe as a "constitutional axe" to 800 years of jury trials.
Empty Courtrooms and Growing Backlogs
The government justifies the reforms as necessary to tackle the record Crown Court backlog, which has reached 78,329 cases in England and Wales - an increase of more than 7,400 since Labour took power.
However, critics point to alternative solutions. Analysis by Robert Jenrick revealed that courtrooms have lain empty for 21,236 sitting days so far this year. Conservative calculations suggest that between 4,800 and 10,000 cases could have been cleared from the backlog if court space had been fully utilised.
David Hardstaff, partner at BCL Solicitors, highlighted the unprecedented nature of the proposals: "Curtailment of jury trials has generally been reserved for exceptional circumstances, such as war or force of terrorism. The idea of jury trials being pared back in peacetime suggests a failure of governance."
The joint letter from MPs emphasised the constitutional significance, noting: "Since Magna Carta the promise has been constant: that no free person will lose his liberty except by the 'lawful judgment of his equals'. Shifting almost all Crown Court trials to judges sitting alone is a step too far."
A government spokesperson responded: "Jury trials are fundamental to our justice system and will always be in place for the most serious offences. No final decisions have been made, but the government is determined to get on top of the record backlog - with 78,000 cases and rising - and get victims the justice they need."
