Overview
- Reports say juries would be retained for murder, rape, manslaughter and limited public‑interest cases, with most other Crown Court trials heard by a single judge.
- David Lammy’s note to ministers reportedly states there is “no right” to jury trial in the UK and outlines a lower Crown Court tier handling offences likely to carry sentences of up to five years.
- The proposal goes beyond Sir Brian Leveson’s recommendation for a judge sitting with two lay magistrates, removing the lay element and shifting as many as 75% of trials to judge‑only hearings.
- The Ministry of Justice says no final decision has been taken, with primary legislation expected early next year to address a Crown Court backlog of about 78,000 cases.
- Legal bodies and opposition politicians warn the plan would damage confidence and does not tackle root causes, while related measures reported include boosting magistrates’ sentencing powers to 24 months and curbing automatic appeals in England and Wales.