The Government is facing calls to reassess significant changes that propose eliminating jury trials for most cases, leaving them only for the most severe offenses.
In a leaked memo obtained by The Times, Justice Secretary David Lammy emphasized the absence of an inherent right to jury trials in the UK. He stressed the necessity for drastic measures to address the backlog of cases in the crown courts of England and Wales.
Under the proposed reforms, juries would preside over only murder, rape, or manslaughter cases, while the majority of other cases would be heard by a single judge.
These plans exceed the recommendations put forth by Sir Brian Leveson, who conducted a review of the criminal courts and issued a report in July.
Government insiders informed The Mirror that the shift aims to expedite case processing, providing relief to victims who have endured prolonged waits for justice.
However, the proposed changes have sparked controversy, with senior figures in the criminal justice system cautioning against the potential for “star chamber” justice, drawing parallels to the historical practice of judges hearing cases alone.
Riel Karmy-Jones KC, the Chair of the Criminal Bar Association, expressed concerns about what she perceived as a coordinated effort against public justice. She warned that reducing the right to jury trials could weaken the connection between the State and ordinary citizens, potentially eroding social cohesion and trust in the criminal justice system.
The Bar Council, representing barristers in England and Wales, cautioned that such radical reforms might severely undermine trust in the justice system.
Barbara Mills KC, Chair of the Bar Council, highlighted that the challenges in the criminal justice system do not stem from jury trials. She emphasized the need to focus on addressing existing inefficiencies rather than introducing untested measures that could further strain the system.
The Justice Department has been requested to provide a statement on the matter.