UK plans justice overhaul to prioritise victims by cutting court delays
LONDON, Nov 30 (Reuters) – The British government is set to propose an overhaul of the criminal justice system next week aimed at clearing a backlog of nearly 80,000 cases that has left thousands of people waiting years for justice.
Warning that the number of cases waiting to be heard could rise to 100,000 by 2028 if no action is taken, the Labor government said the reforms would take forward-looking recommendations from a review earlier this year.
Justice Minister David Lammy’s office said on Sunday it would outline proposals to modernize the courts and speed up trials to put victims “front and centre”.
“Behind each of the thousands of cases awaiting trial is the suspension of human life,” Lammy said, adding: “For many victims, justice delayed is justice denied.”
Some trials are listed as early as 2030, and figures show more than a quarter of cases wait a year or more, with many victims abandoning proceedings. In rape cases, 60 percent of complainants withdraw before trial.
The proposals suggested creating a “new division” for mid-level crimes, limiting jury trials for minor cases and allowing judge-only trials in complex fraud cases.
Legal groups have warned against restricting jury trials, which they say are a fundamental right.
(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Alexander Smith)
