[ad_1]
More than 3,200 lawyers have written to the prime minister urging him to “rethink” plans to restrict jury trials for all but the most serious cases.
The group, which includes 22 retired judges and more than 300 senior barristers, alongside solicitors, academics, and other legal professionals, have urged Sir Keir Starmer to halt what they say is an “erosion of a deeply entrenched constitutional principle for negligible gain”.
Politics Hub: Follow the latest
“Instead of draining valuable time and resources attempting to force through an unpopular, untested and poorly evidenced change to our jury system – and one that will only have effect, if any, in 2028/2029 – we urge the government to focus on the changes we know will make a difference now,” the letter reads.
MPs are due to vote for the first time today on the Courts and Tribunals Bill, which will remove the right to a jury trial for Crown Court cases concerning crimes that carry sentences of up to three years.
Under the proposals, only the most serious cases, such as rape, murder and manslaughter, would be heard by a jury.
The plans have proved controversial, with one critical Labour MP – and fellow lawyer – telling Sky News in January he was “ashamed” of Sir Keir over the plans.
The government claims the proposals, alongside other investment they are making in the court system, will reduce the projected backlog by around 84,000 cases, to 49,000 cases by 2035.
But research by the independent Institute for Government thinktank suggests restricting juries would save less than 2% of court time.
The letter says the lawyers “fully support and share the government’s aim of bringing down the backlog in the…
[ad_2]
