Jury-free trials recommended to save courts from 'collapse'
To fix what he calls a broken system, Sir Brian has suggested having judge-only trials for certain cases such as fraud and bribery.Another recommendation involves having more out of court resolutions like cautions.He wants a new division of the Crown Court with two magistrates and a judge to handle less serious offences, and to increase the number of sentence reductions for guilty pleas at the first opportunity offered.This is all about shortening the process in the hope of cutting the big backlog. "Our criminal justice system stands at a critical juncture," said Sir Brian who was requested to look into the matter in December last year."It is well recognised that justice delayed is justice denied but the record and rising court backlog means victims, witnesses and defendants are waiting months, sometimes years, for cases to come to trial - unable to move on with their lives," he added.Sir Brian noted the proposed changes are designed "to transform our courts into a system that provides appropriate and fair decision-making."He continued: "It also takes a proportionate approach to trial processes while maintaining the fundamental right to a fair trial."These are not small tweaks but fundamental changes that will seek to make the system fit for the 21st century."
The proposals would mean more cases will be heard in the magistrates' courts, with jury trials reserved for the most serious cases.Either way, offences with a maximum custodial sentence of two years or less, such as possession of drugs, bike theft and voyeurism, could face lower penalties of 12 months imprisonment or less.Defendants in cases for offences including assault of an emergency worker, stalking and possessing an indecent photograph of a child would also no longer be able to choose a jury trial.
'Radical change'
Not all lawyers agree with the suggested changes, however. And in response, Mary Prior KC, chair of the Criminal Bar Association, said: "Any fundamental change is going to require the criminal barristers who prosecute and defend in the Crown Court to believe that this is the best way forward."As this is such a radical change to the criminal justice system we will be listening to what our members say. There is a lot to digest."Manisha Knights, Solicitor Advocate with MK Law, said: "Our jury system is central and pivotal to our justice system."With juries comes diversity whereas the judiciary still very much lacks it. The right to be tried by one's peers should not be removed or be diluted in any way, shape or form."But the Magistrates' Association welcomed the review, saying it will speed up justice for thousands."Magistrates are ready and willing to support these and other initiatives aimed at reducing the pressure on Crown Courts," said Mark Beattie, national chair of the Magistrates' Association."We urge the government to implement Leveson's recommendations as soon as possible. Every day that they aren't in place, is a day when victims, witnesses and defendants have to wait for justice."Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: "As Sir Brian rightly identifies, criminal justice in this country runs the risk of "total system collapse" unless we take the radical steps needed to reverse years of decline."It cannot be right that in London more than 100 trials listed are for 2029. This is intolerable for victims and all parties who rely on a properly functioning court system to provide closure from what are often traumatic experiences, made worse by persistent delays."He added: "I welcome this report and look forward to working with partners across government to deliver the bold reforms that are now a necessity, not an option."
Among the recommendations are: A reclassification of certain offencesThe creation of a new division of the Crown Court with two magistrates and a judge to handle "less serious offences", which would include some theft, burglary, and fraud offencesGreater use of out of court resolutions - which would allow the police to deal quickly with lower level, often first time offending - including increased use of cautions and conditional cautionsRemoval of the right to elect trial in cases where the maximum sentence is two years' imprisonment with reclassification of some offences to "summary only" (meaning they will only be heard in a magistrates' court)The threshold for criminal damage being dealt with as a summary only offence to be increased from £5,000 to £10,000.Maximum sentence reduction increased to 40% for guilty pleas at first opportunity, encouraging quicker case resolutionJudge-alone trials introduced either by election on the part of the defendant or for the most complex cases
The review recommended the immediate implementation of key reforms but acknowledged that many of the changes will take time to introduce, and "must be managed carefully to ensure the public is never put at risk". The government says it will now consider all of Sir Brian's recommendations, and will respond in full ahead of legislation in the autumn.Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said in a statement: "I have already lifted courts funding to record levels, funding 4,000 more court sitting days than under my predecessors."But swifter justice requires bold reform, and that is what I asked Sir Brian Leveson to propose."She added: "As part of our Plan for Change, I will do whatever it takes to bring down the backlog and deliver swifter justice for victims."A second review focusing on court efficiency will be published later this year.
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'People thought she was going to get fired and she started crying about it. 'A lot of kids will vote for who their friends want to vote for or they won't actually look into politics and vote for who they like the look of. 'I will use my vote but I will look at their policies and do my own research. 'We are taught useless things in school that we won't need in ten years, like algebra, instead of proper things like politics. 'I'm never going to use algebra so I don't know why we're taught that.' Eloise Lincoln, 14, from Newcastle, correctly identified Keir Starmer, Nigel Farage and Ed Davey. She said: 'I would want the government to introduce more policies about the environment such as lowering emissions. 'Lowering the voting age could be a good policy but there are a lot of younger people who are influenced by the internet. 'They may not actually know much about politics but go off what they see online. 'They should teach us more in schools if they are lowering the voting age. I would use my vote at 16 but I would do my research.' Olivia Connon, 15, from Newcastle, correctly identified Keir Starmer, Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch. She said: 'I know a bit about politics but not enough. 'I would vote if I was 16 but you have to investigate first about what the policies are. 'I met Rishi Sunak once, we talked about ice cream but he said his favourite flavour was vanilla, which is boring. He didn't get any syrups or flakes in it. 'I know that Keir Starmer is the Prime Minister but I didn't know that Kemi Badenoch was the leader of the Conservatives. 'I don't know much about current policies but if I could bring one law in it would be something to help people have more access to healthcare, as we need more funding in the NHS. 'If the voting age was lowered now it wouldn't be very good because people wouldn't know what they were doing. We need more education on politics.' Megan Wilson, 15, from Gateshead, correctly named Nigel Farage in the picture quiz. She said: 'The voting age should be 18, 16 is too low. People would make stupid decisions or waste their vote. 'There isn't enough education about politics in schools. You only go over it once or twice so you don't learn it properly. 'I turn 16 early into the school year, I'm one of the oldest in my class so I would be voting while doing GCSEs. 'When you're 18, you know a lot more about the world and probably have a job or have been through college. You have more life experience. 'All my friends think it's a stupid decision to lower it because there are already debates about people voting at the age of 18. 'I don't know much about tax or policies. I know we pay tax but that's it. 'My mam votes but I wouldn't, even if the age is being lowered to 16. 'Keir Starmer is the Prime Minister but I don't know who the leader of the opposition is. I don't know much about current policies but if I could bring in legislation I would want to split the six weeks holidays up. 'It's too long, I get bored half way through. I would want four weeks and then another two somewhere else in the year.' Meanwhile in Cambridge, MailOnline spoke to several 16 and 17 year olds, who despite being older than those interviewed in Newcastle, were only marginally more knowledgeable of the UK's political leaders. Only one person was able to identify who the leader of the opposition was (Kemi Badenoch), with two people thinking it was the former Home Secretary Priti Patel. But, much to the Prime Minister's relief, all of the people interviewed were able to identify Keir Starmer. College student Charlotte Templar, 17, is a Green Party campaigner and was for the voting age being lowered. She said: 'The main argument against it is that 16-year-olds aren't informed enough to vote but that can be applied for people aged 18/20/22. 'You are affected by all things at that age and it will make more people want to vote and it will help move away from older people having all the power to make decisions that will affect younger people for longer. 'I feel like I'm old enough to vote and it has been proven in Scotland that it does work. 'Everyone should know what the parties stand for - it should be the school and the parent's responsibility. 'Some might say young people will do 'joke' votes [where they vote for a party unseriously because they think it is funny] but I don't think it would be a large enough amount of people to make a difference. No one says that about university students.' Jack, 17, said he thought his generation was the 'most politically aware'. He said: 'Realistically 16-year-olds are capable for making a choice like any other eighteen or nineteen year olds. 'If a 50-year-old man votes for Nigel Farage because he thinks he's funny then there shouldn't be a discussion as to whether sixteen-year-olds are mature enough or not.' Zosia, 17, said she was worried about 'joke' voting. She said: 'People will make 'joke' votes for parties like Reform. They could be under the influence of adults around them or their friends. 'At 18, you're only just beginning to experience your life like you are at 16.' Mikayla, 17, added: 'I think people are going to be influenced by social media and who their friends are voting for.' Chloe, 17, said she agreed the voting age should be lowered. The A-Level politics student said: 'You can pay tax and get married - the only difference really at 18 is that you can buy alcohol. 'Politics isn't really taught in school in as much depth as it should be. 'Hopefully it would make people more interested in politics and understand why it matters to them.' Friend Hannah, also 17, said: 'The general election affects everyone who is 16. 'I'd like to see them focus more on the environment - it always come second to most things.' Sophie McArthur, 17, said she didn't think lowering the voting age was a good thing. The college student said she was worried about boys in particular being influenced online and how other people's views could affect them. She said: 'Young people are influenced by the media and there are certain sides of TikTok which can not be a very good thing for people who are impressionable or not mature enough. 'I know people who like Charlie Kirk - these are boys who are like "red pill". It makes you worry about the decisions they'll make if they could vote and who for.' Charlie Kirk is an American political activist who rose to prominence as the founder of Turning Point USA - a ring-wing student organisation aligned with Donald Trump - and spoke at the Cambridge Union in May. Gabriella Giussali, also 17, agreed. She said: 'Some people are too young to form that opinion and be able to vote. There are a lot of people who understand politics and lots of people who don't.' Lucia Browne, 17, said she wasn't 'confident' people at her age would make the 'right' decision. She said: 'Social media means a lot of people are influenced and I think there's a different across the country as to how young people will vote. 'You only pay national insurance at 16 so you don't really know a lot about how things work. We're not at the age where we should be dictating government policy.' Julia, 18, visiting from Sweden said: 'I don't think it's a good idea. In Sweden it is 18 and you get more into politics as you get older, meet more people. When you work, you begin to understand people. 'It is too big of a power for a young age. I'd raise it to 20.' Sylwester, 16, also from Sweden added: 'People aren't experienced enough. I'd say 18 is the best age.'
