David Lammy set to unveil major reforms to UK justice system this week
Major reforms to the criminal justice system to be announced this week will aim to “put victims front and centre”, Justice Secretary David Lammy has announced, amid reports that jury trials could be significantly restricted.
The proposed changes are expected to tackle a record backlog in the crown courts, which the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said would save victims “years of torture and delay”.
The Ministry of Justice has not yet released specific details about the change, which Mr Lammy is expected to outline in the coming days. Times The newspaper proposes a radical change.
Juries will only preside over rape, murder, manslaughter and public interest cases, according to the document Mr Lammy submitted to authorities this month. Less serious crimes will instead be heard by only one judge.
The proposals are based on recommendations from Sir Brian Leveson’s review of the court system; This proposal advocated reserving juries for the most serious cases and diverting other offenses to magistrates’ courts or a new intermediate court with one judge and two lay magistrates.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed that Mr Lammy, who also serves as deputy prime minister, intends to push forward many of Sir Brian’s proposals.
But, Times It said Mr Lammy’s memo showed he could go further, potentially removing lay elements from cases involving multiple serious offenses punishable by up to five years in prison.
These potential changes have already come under fire, with Labor’s proposals for single-judge trials facing opposition over concerns about a rise in injustices and racial discrimination.
The Ministry of Justice argues that an overhaul is urgently needed as the backlog of cases in the crown courts is approaching 80,000 and could rise to 100,000 by 2028 if no intervention is made.
Some cases are currently listed as late as 2030, leading to a growing number of alleged victims dropping their cases.
The ministry noted that only 3 percent of criminal cases currently involve a judge and jury, while more than 90 percent are handled by judges without a jury.
Delays continue despite courtrooms operating at record levels.
Mr Lammy said: “We have inherited an emergency in the courts; the justice system is pushed to the brink. We will not allow victims to suffer as they did under the previous government, we must put victims front and center of the justice system.
“Behind each of the thousands of cases waiting to go to court, there is a human life on hold. A rape victim who was told her case would not come to court until 2029. A mother who lost her child at the hands of a dangerous driver is waiting for justice to be served. A teenager who was attacked on his way to school was sentenced to years of delay before he could put his life back together.
“For many victims, justice delayed means justice denied. This Government is choosing a system that works for victims, not against them. A system that will finally give brave survivors the justice they deserve.”
By contrast, Tory shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick criticized the potential reforms, saying: “David Lammy should get his own department in order rather than deprive British citizens of former freedoms.
“The right to be heard by our peers has existed for over 800 years and should not be casually brushed aside when the spreadsheets turn red.
“Lammy should pull his finger and ensure courts sit 24 hours a day to reduce the backlog. 21,000 court sessions have been missed this year alone.
“If (Chancellor) Rachel Reeves can find billions more in relief payments, she can find the money to fill empty courtrooms.”
