Overview
- Karl Turner warned he could resign and trigger a by-election if the government presses ahead with limiting jury trials and certain appeals.
- The Kingston upon Hull East MP was the only Labour member to defy the whip in a 290–182 Commons vote and says he is unconcerned about losing the whip.
- Proposals would end the right to elect a jury trial for offences likely to carry sentences of three years or less, create judge-only “swift courts,” and restrict appeals from magistrates’ courts.
- Ministers say the reforms aim to cut a crown court backlog of roughly 80,000 cases, with the justice secretary citing potential 20% time savings from judge-only hearings.
- The Bar Council, Law Society and other legal figures oppose the changes, noting Sir Brian Leveson did not back a full judge-only model, and primary legislation has not yet been introduced.