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Jury trials in England and Wales for crimes with sentences under three years will no longer proceed, according to a recent announcement by the justice secretary. This major shake-up aims to address delays clogging the court system, creating "swift courts" for quicker resolutions. The reforms specifically exclude serious crimes like murder and rape from this change, ensuring they still go before a jury.

 

The move is part of ongoing efforts to tackle court case backlogs, following suggestions from retired Court of Appeal judge Sir Brian Leveson. Beginning in December 2024, Leveson was tasked with proposals to streamline the justice process, including alternatives to jury trials and increased out-of-court settlements. Initially, Leveson considered more radical reforms like ending jury trials for sentences up to five years, but after receiving criticism, he softened them.

 

David Lammy, the justice secretary, emphasised the necessity of these changes given predictions that the Crown Court case load could soar to 100,000 by 2028. Current backlogs mean cases face significant delays, with some suspects likely awaiting trial until 2030. Lammy asserted that restricting jury trials could quicken case turnover by 20%, but critics argue ethnic minorities might fare worse under magistrate-led decisions.

 

Reactions to these changes have been mixed. The Liberal Democrats and prominent legal figures have warned these reforms could undermine justice and deepen existing disparities. The Criminal Bar Association voiced concerns that the jury system, historically effective and unbiased, wasn't the cause of delays. Conversely, the Magistrates' Association welcomed the increased powers but highlighted the need for adequate resources to support the new system.

 

Looking forward, legislation will be introduced for these reforms, which include empowering magistrates to handle cases with sentences up to 18 months, with a reserve option for more severe punishments. A second report from Sir Brian Leveson, expected soon, will further explore measures to enhance court efficiency, though experts note additional steps are necessary for substantial system improvements, reported the BBC.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Jury trials for crimes with under three-year sentences will cease.
• Reforms aim to clear backlogs, with swift courts prioritising efficiency.
• Critics warn of risks to justice equality and potential delays elsewhere.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-12-03

 

 

 

Lammy is a disgrace. A poster boy for the failings of DEI. 

 

He was all for juries in 2020. He even used the race card while defending them.

 

Lammy’s jury trial plans are ‘massive mistake’, say Labour MPs and peers | David Lammy | The Guardian

 

11 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Lammy is a disgrace. A poster boy for the failings of DEI. 

 

He was all for juries in 2020. He even used the race card while defending them.

 

Lammy’s jury trial plans are ‘massive mistake’, say Labour MPs and peers | David Lammy | The Guardian

 

Anything on the introduced measure, or only on the person? 

I presume you disagree though, since you disagree with everything from Lammy?

Just now, stevenl said:

Anything on the introduced measure, or only on the person? 

I presume you disagree though, since you disagree with everything from Lammy?

 

Of course I disagree. Jury trials are a pillar of our Democracy for more than 800 years.

 

Although what would MasterMind Calamity Lammy know about that? He thinks Henry VII succeeded Henry VIII. 

 

His stupidity was funny while in opposition. Now it is incredibly damaging to Britain. 

11 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Of course I disagree. Jury trials are a pillar of our Democracy for more than 800 years.

 

Although what would MasterMind Calamity Lammy know about that? He thinks Henry VII succeeded Henry VIII. 

 

His stupidity was funny while in opposition. Now it is incredibly damaging to Britain. 

So magistrate trials and out of court settlements have never happened?

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

This major shake-up aims to address delays clogging the court system, creating "swift courts" for quicker resolutions

Swift Justice has many advantages, look how quickly it put an end the Race Riots across the UK.

 

Observe too the constant whining from grievance mongers complaining about the delay of bringing those accused of serious crimes to trial.

 

The Government have inherited a justice system in disarray, it’s good to see them doing something about it.

 

4 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

So magistrate trials and put of court settlements have never happened?

 

 

Do you have anything other than silly strawman arguments?

Just now, JonnyF said:

 

Do you have anything other than silly strawman arguments?

It’s hardly a Strawman argument Jonny.

 

Trials by Jury have not been universal for centuries.

 

 

 

 

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

It’s hardly a Strawman argument Jonny.

 

Trials by Jury have not been universal for centuries.

 

 

 

 

 

Why has Lammy suddenly changed his "mind"?

 

 https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/bbc-presenter-reminds-david-lammy-of-all-the-times-he-opposed-scrapping-jury-trials_uk_692ea363e4b052b5ba034de6

 

 

 

6 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Why has Lammy suddenly changed his "mind"?

 

 https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/bbc-presenter-reminds-david-lammy-of-all-the-times-he-opposed-scrapping-jury-trials_uk_692ea363e4b052b5ba034de6

 

 

 

That’s pragmatism Jonny.

 

He’s now dealing with the huge backlog and mess left by the Tories.

 
When he doesn’t deal with the backlog you whinge about trial delays.

 

 

Oh my, quite the reversal and a change that I am surprised that the vocal left are not out in the streets protesting. Consider the impact in future years, say, after a Reform government is elected. Reform would appoint law and order jurists to the bench and the people who once were able to walk on some charges like shoplifting, burglary, vandalism etc. would be seeing prison terms. No more gumming up of the system and playing the race card or having a trial by one's peers who are just as dishonest as the  accused. Lammy is delivering a poisoned apple to the people. 🙃

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

That’s pragmatism Jonny.

 

He’s now dealing with the huge backlog and mess left by the Tories.

 

Ah, blaming for Tories for Lammy's policy. 😄 How predictable...

 

How about spending more money on the justice system instead of on migrant hotels or overseas aid? It's not like Rachel from accounts is short of money having raided 26 Billion in tax in the last budget (+ 40 Billion in the previous one) after lying about the 20 Billion shortfall which was actually 4 Billion headroom left by the Tories as confirmed to her by the OBR.

 

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

 
When he doesn’t deal with the backlog you whinge about trial delays.

 

 

 

There was no delay for a trial for the anti immigrant tweeters like Lucy Connolly.

 

I do recall Ricky Jones trial was delayed several times though. 😃

 

Weird huh...

2 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Oh my, quite the reversal and a change that I am surprised that the vocal left are not out in the streets protesting. Consider the impact in future years, say, after a Reform government is elected. Reform would appoint law and order jurists to the bench and the people who once were able to walk on some charges like shoplifting, burglary, vandalism etc. would be seeing prison terms. No more gumming up of the system and playing the race card or having a trial by one's peers who are just as dishonest as the  accused. Lammy is delivering a poisoned apple to the people. 🙃

 

They never think about how their own policies will later be used against them. 😄

 

Too sure of their own righteousness. 

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Ah, blaming for Tories for Lammy's policy. 😄 How predictable...

 

How about spending more money on the justice system instead of on migrant hotels or overseas aid? It's not like Rachel from accounts is short of money having raided 26 Billion in tax in the last budget (+ 40 Billion in the previous one) after lying about the 20 Billion shortfall which was actually 4 Billion headroom left by the Tories as confirmed to her by the OBR.

 

 

There was no delay for a trial for the anti immigrant tweeters like Lucy Connolly.

 

I do recall Ricky Jones trial was delayed several times though. 😃

 

Weird huh...

Is that you volunteering to pay more taxes? 
 

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

They never think about how their own policies will later be used against them. 😄

 

Too sure of their own righteousness. 

Like you’ve never supported the idea of people being denied a trial, perhaps summarily deported?!

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

Like you’ve never supported the idea of people being denied a trial, perhaps summarily deported?!

 

Don't need a trial if they are an illegal immigrant.

 

They are already a criminal by definition. Why would you need a trial?

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Is that you volunteering to pay more taxes? 
 

 

No need.

 

Rachel from accounts took 66 billion in the last 2 budgets alone after being left 4 billion headroom by the Tories which she lied about and said was a 20 billion shortfall. 70 Billion should be enough.

 

Of course, what do you expect from someone who lied on their CV to get the job?

Just now, JonnyF said:

 

No need.

 

Rachel from accounts took 66 billion in the last 2 budgets alone after being left 4 billion headroom by the Tories which she lied about and said was a 20 billion shortfall. 70 Billion should be enough.

 

Of course, what do you expect from someone who lied on their CV to get the job?

You want to have your cake and eat it.

 

Here’s an idea Jonny.

 

If any ‘true Englishman good and strong’ feels his rights to a Jury trial have been denied him, he can grab a copy of Magna Carta and take his case to the ECHR.

 

What do you think?!

8 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Like you’ve never supported the idea of people being denied a trial, perhaps summarily deported?!

 

In respect to unauthorized migrants or people already under a deportation order who disregard the order, an immediate deportation is  fair.

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

You want to have your cake and eat it.

 

Here’s an idea Jonny.

 

If any ‘true Englishman good and strong’ feels his rights to a Jury trial have been denied him, he can grab a copy of Magna Carta and take his case to the ECHR.

 

What do you think?!

 

Nah.

 

How about we leave the ECHR and keep jury trials instead?

 

I guess we need to wait for Reform in 2029 (at the latest) for that. Personally, I don't think this Labour/Welfare government can survive that long. 

55 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Swift Justice has many advantages, look how quickly it put an end the Race Riots across the UK.

 

Race riots? 😃

 

Well, it was very quick to jail the social media posters.

 

Which raises the question, if it was able to jail Lucy Connoly so quickly for 30 months, why would you want to change it? It seems like it is already capable of locking up your/the left's ideological opponents for unusually long sentences for tweets in double swift time. I'd have thought you'd be delighted with the current system. 

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

 

They never think about how their own policies will later be used against them. 😄

 

Too sure of their own righteousness. 

The fear is, that non jury trials will be biased against non-white defendants. That should appeal to you.

2 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 

In respect to unauthorized migrants or people already under a deportation order who disregard the order, an immediate deportation is  fair.

Though that’s not what the law and the right to due process says.

But thanks for demonstrating my point.

 

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

Race riots? 😃

 

Well, it was very quick to jail the social media posters.

 

Which raises the question, if it was able to jail Lucy Connoly so quickly for 30 months, why would you want to change it? It seems like it is already capable of locking up your/the left's ideological opponents for unusually long sentences for tweets in double swift time. I'd have thought you'd be delighted with the current system. 

Quelled the race riots over night so the good law abiding burghers of England’s towns and cities could once again enjoy peace and quiet without the risk of racist thugs rioting, engaging in looting and arson.

 

Swift justice Jonny, I thought you were a fan of it.

21 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Swift justice Jonny, I thought you were a fan of it.

 

When applied equally, yes.

 

Unfortunately, that is not the case in 2 tier Britian. 

I had a look for some graphs to get my head round this.

 

The graphs come from:

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ & the Ministry of Justice.

 

The Crown Court & Magistrates backlog took off around the time of austerity and COVID - happened under the Tories (no political bias intended, I don't have any, I dislike them all). It's come down a bit under Labour, but...

Delayed serious Crown Court cases are rising under Labour having started their rise under COVID/austerity.  So it's obvious that something needs to be done.

 

I don't like Lammy, but he has to do something.  Even if it galls him due to his previous statements on jury trials.  The race element cannot be used as an excuse to do nothing, this has happened so  many timers (e.g. the Pakistani rape gangs in the north of England).  If race bias is a concern at a trial then they can go to Court of First Instance of the High Court for an appeal. 

 

In summary, doing nothing is not an option.  Too many victims are pulling out of court trials due to delays, especially sexual offences and rape.

 

If you create more thought-crimes, then you're going to need an assembly-line court system to convict people. Seems obvious.