Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has unveiled radical plans to overhaul the criminal justice system, confirming that jury trials will be removed for thousands of cases in England and Wales.
The End of Jury Trials for Lesser Offences
In a major statement to the House of Commons on Tuesday 2 December 2025, Mr Lammy announced the creation of new "swift courts" within the Crown Court. These will see a judge sitting alone to deliver verdicts in so-called "either way" cases where the likely sentence is three years or less.
The move follows recommendations from a review led by retired judge Sir Brian Leveson. Mr Lammy stressed that while juries remain "fundamental" to British justice, the severe backlog in the courts has created a crisis of confidence that demands urgent action.
Tackling the Mounting Backlog
The justice secretary warned that, on current projections, the court caseload will reach a staggering 100,000 by 2028. He stated that Sir Brian Leveson estimates the new judge-led swift courts will deliver justice at least 20 per cent faster than traditional jury trials.
"Investment is not enough," Mr Lammy told MPs, arguing that procedural reform is essential. He also highlighted that judge-alone trials would increase transparency, as judges provide reasoned verdicts in open court, unlike the confidential deliberations of a jury.
Fierce Opposition and Funding Announcements
The reforms were met with immediate and fierce criticism from the opposition benches. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick accused Mr Lammy of "twisted logic" and of "ripping up Magna Carta" by abandoning principles he once defended. Jenrick pointed out that 21,000 court sitting days had been missed this year alone under the current government.
Alongside the court reforms, the Ministry of Justice announced a £550 million funding package for victim support services over the next three years. This aims to help survivors and witnesses through counselling and court advice.
Incoming victims' commissioner Claire Waxman welcomed the funding as a "necessary step" but cautioned it was "not a silver bullet" for the sector's wider crisis. The Bar Council has previously warned that replacing juries with single judges could damage public trust.
Mr Lammy also signalled potential future changes, including expanding magistrates' powers and questioning whether defendants in "either way" cases should retain the right to choose a jury trial.
