US EditionLammy Says Judges and Magistrates Will Use More AI While Jury Trials Are Reduced
Plans include judge-only trials, expanded magistrate powers, and AI use to reduce 80,000 case backlog, with reforms expected to start in 2028 and full impact by 2035.
- On Tuesday, David Lammy, Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, confirmed Labour will axe half of jury trials and urged `to see more AI` at the Microsoft AI Tour in London.
- Facing a record backlog of nearly 80,000 cases, ministers argue the bill to be published on Wednesday aims for judge-only trials starting in 2028 to reduce backlogs rising to 100,000 next year.
- Under the legislation, the right to elect a jury would be removed for many either way offences, saving 16,000 Crown Court sitting days and increasing magistrates' powers to save 8,000 more.
- Justice chiefs admitted victims of crime will wait nearly a decade and the bill is yet to go before Parliament, facing opposition from Brett Dixon, vice-president of the Law Society, and about 60 backbench MPs.
- The government has pledged unlimited sitting days next year and a £287 million investment in court estate, while experts warn of risks after a Microsoft Copilot 'AI hallucination' last month.
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12 Articles
Plan to scrap many jury trials in England and Wales despite criticism
The government has set out its plan to reduce the backlog of court cases, which stands at some 80,000 criminal cases. There will be extra funding for every crown court in England and Wales to enable them to hear more trials. And the limit on the number of days in which courts can sit will be scrapped. But more controversially, the Justice Secretary David Lammy said he intends to press ahead with the abolition of jury trials for thousands of defe…
Magistrates and judges to use more AI, says Lammy - as jury trials reduced
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has confirmed he wants to see more AI being used by courts, as he confirms fewer jury trials will be taking place. The Law Society has warned that decisions "with serious consequences" for peoples lives "must be made by humans".
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