Jury trials in some cases will be scrapped and so-called “swift courts” set up in England and Wales, the Justice Secretary has announced.
Currently jury trials make up 3% of cases but this will be curbed further as David Lammy confirmed they would be reserved for “indictable-only” offences such as murder and rape, and lesser “either way” offences with a likely sentence of more than three years in prison.
Mr Lammy, who is also deputy prime minister, told MPs reforms were “desperately needed”.
The suggestion to scrap more jury trials has already faced opposition from MPs and legal professionals concerned over fairness, curtailing rights, and a lack of evidence the move will even help bring down the backlog.
The crown court backlog currently is at a record level of more than 78,000 cases and some trials are being listed as far in the future as 2030.
Currently defendants of either way offences can have their cases heard in the magistrates’ court or crown court, where they can elect a jury trial.
But under plans announced on Tuesday, defendants will no longer be able to choose this option.
