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Justice Secretary David Lammy Defends Jury Trial Reforms Amid Commons Rebellion
The UK government aims to reduce a crown court backlog projected at 125,000 cases by expanding magistrates' powers and introducing judge-only trials for some offences.
- In the Commons yesterday, Justice Secretary David Lammy defended plans to curb jury trials, saying they are necessary to reduce the courts backlog ahead of the next general election.
- Following Sir Brian Leveson's review last year, the proposals aim to reduce the 125,000 backlog, with some trials listed as far ahead as 2030, by scaling back jury trials and increasing magistrates' powers from 12 months.
- Outside Parliament, protesters including Sally Middleton dressed as Lady Justice gathered, and a letter organized by the Bar Council and signed by hundreds of judges, barristers, and lawyers, criticized the plans as lacking evidence.
- Ministers are confronting a revolt as Kingston-upon-Hull East MP Karl Turner leads Labour backbench rebels on Tuesday evening, while Courts minister Sarah Sackman says most Labour MPs support the plans despite rising disciplinary questions.
- Experts caution that Institute for Government research found judge-only trials would save less than 2% of court time, while Lammy promotes AI and digital modernisation from the Microsoft AI Tour last month.
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Sky News UKReposted by 
Great Yorkshire Radio
Great Yorkshire RadioAbstentions spell trouble ahead on juries
Justice Secretary David Lammy's controversial court reforms - which will see jury trials scrapped for all but the most serious cases - have passed a major Commons hurdle, despite a small rebellion by Labour MPs.
·United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources20
Leaning Left11Leaning Right3Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution61% Left
Bias Distribution
- 61% of the sources lean Left
61% Left
L 61%
C 22%
R 17%
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