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Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
More than 90 per cent of barristers oppose controversial plan to axe jury trials
More than 90 per cent of barristers are opposed to plans to axe jury trials in a bid to solve the criminal justice crisis, according to a new poll. The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) asked members for views on Sir Brian Leveson's proposals for a radical overhaul of the courts. The retired judge was tasked by Sir Keir Starmer's government with coming up with a plan to solve the justice crisis, with court backlogs spiralling out of control and prisons being full. The centrepiece of his reform plan is scrapping juries for all but the most serious cases, with panels containing a judge and two magistrates deciding trials instead. The CBA's poll, of more than 2000 members, found 88.5 per cent opposed the creation of the new juryless division of the Crown Court to deal with offences with sentences of up to three years in prison. More than 94 per cent supported the retention of jury trial for 'either way' offences - crimes that can either be settled in the Crown Court or Magistrates Court, while almost 92 per cent opposed the scrapping of juries for trials involving allegations of sexual offences against children. The poll also found 86 per cent opposed a judge and magistrate panel deciding on cases involving violence against women and girls, stalking, and voyeurism. The CBA survey found 75 per cent of the barristers who responded are against a judge, with expert assessors, deciding on complex fraud trials instead of a jury. The body, which represents practising barristers in courts across England and Wales, suggested the currently justice crisis could be tackled by increasing court sitting days, greater efficiency including ensuring prisoners are brought to court on time, and investment in building repairs as well as hiring judges with a criminal law background. The government is considering Sir Brian's recommendations, and is expected to announce the reforms it is adopting in the autumn. When his report was published earlier this month, Sir Brian conceded his proposals are driven by the crisis and he does not 'rejoice in these recommendations'. He claimed the courts are on the brink of total collapse, that radical action is essential, and he stressed that his proposals will need to be properly financed to stand a chance of working.
The Guardian
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Labour says Reform UK ‘trying to divide communities' ahead of Farage speech on crime
Update: Date: 2025-07-21T08:19:51.000Z Title: Farage's plans to reform criminal justice system criticised ahead of speech Content: Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of UK politics. Nigel Farage is to lay out plans that he claims would end all early release schemes for sex offenders and serious violent offenders if he were to become prime minister. In a speech in London later today, the Reform UK leader will also reportedly promise to build 30,000 new prison places to tackle the overcrowding crisis, appoint 30,000 more police officers within five years and deport 10,400 foreign offenders currently in British jails. He has not said how these policies will be funded and will likely face questions on how he would negotiate return agreements for foreign offenders. Some of his promises – like sending some of the most serious criminals to overseas jails, including in El Salavdor – will also likely face serious legal obstacles if they were ever realised. Farage, whose Reform party is leading many polls, was quoted by the Daily Telegraph as having said: Reform UK will be the toughest party on law and order this country has ever seen. We will cut crime in half. We will take back control of our streets, we will take back control of our courts and prisons. We are expecting more details on Reform's plans at around 11am. Reform's attempt to woo voters with a tough on crime message stands in contrast to the proposals recently suggested by Sir Brian Leveson, a former senior judge who was asked by the Lord Chancellor to come up with ways to reduce the backlog of cases in the criminal courts. Recommendations in the report included increased use of out-of-court resolutions, greater use of rehabilitation programmes and health intervention programmes and increasing the maximum reduction for entering a guilty plea at the first opportunity from 33% to 40%. Diana Johnson, the policing minister, said that Reform is not serious about implementing real changes to the criminal justice system as the party 'voted to try to block measures to crack down on knife crime, antisocial behaviour, shop theft and child sexual abuse'. 'They should focus more on practical solutions to support our police, combat crime, deliver justice for victims of crime, rather than chasing headlines, spouting slogans and trying to divide communities,' she added. Here is the agenda for the day. 09.45am: Sir Jon Cunliffe, Independent Water Commission chair, to give speech. 11am: Nigel Farage to make a speech in London on the criminal justice system. 13:00pm: Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign press conference in Sheffield. 14.30pm: Keir Starmer to appear at the Liaison Committee.
Leader Live
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Court reforms vital to tackle ‘scandalous disgrace' of backlog, says Ken Clarke
Given the mounting trial logjam, the Government has 'no choice' but to swiftly accept proposed reforms, which would see less cases heard by juries, according to the Conservative peer. Last week, plans to reduce the number of jury trials and create a new type of crown court where cases are heard by judges were unveiled by Sir Brian Leveson. The review commissioned by the Government seeks to 'reduce the risk of total system collapse' amid a record-high backlog where some cases are listed for 2029. It comes after the crown court backlog in England and Wales passed 75,000 cases for the first time, rising to 76,957 at the end of March. Sir Brian's recommendations are expected to save approximately 9,000 sitting days in the crown court each year from some of the main changes, such as by diverting cases to magistrates' courts or to the proposed Crown Court Bench Division for trials to be heard by judges. Juries would be reserved to hear the most serious cases. Ministers are now considering the recommendations and will respond in the early autumn with a view to legislation. The Government has already accepted a raft of reforms proposed in a separate independent sentencing review by former justice secretary David Gauke to tackle jail overcrowding. Speaking in Parliament, Lord Clarke of Nottingham, who also previously served as justice secretary, said: 'Does the minister accept that it is a scandalous disgrace that in this country some victims and people charged with offences have to wait months and sometimes years before a trial can take place? 'Does he therefore agree that, in those circumstances, the Government have no choice but to accept as quickly as possible the excellent recommendations made by Sir Brian Leveson, because I hear of no alternatives? 'Will he undertake that they will not take too long reviewing and considering these matters? 'This should proceed as rapidly as possible with the full support of everybody who has the interests of the rule of law and justice in this country at heart.' Welcoming his support, justice minister Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, who is also a sitting magistrate, said: 'Data published last month showed the backlog stood at nearly 77,000 cases. That is an increase of 2,300 cases over the previous quarter. 'If we were not to take any action, it is projected that the outstanding caseload would be 100,000 in 2028. Clearly, that is unacceptable, and I absolutely take the point he made.' Leading lawyer and independent crossbencher Lord Pannick said: 'Does the minister agree that, in addressing the very serious problems faced by the criminal justice system, it is important not to romanticise the jury, given that 90% of all criminal trials in this country are heard without a jury and relatively speedily – not as speedily as perhaps they could be, but relatively so – and they are heard effectively and with justice.' Lord Ponsonby said: 'Of course I would agree because, as a magistrate, I was among those who hear 90% of all criminal cases. 'There is no right to a jury trial. However, there is a right to a fair trial. 'For a fair trial, it must be heard in a timely manner. That is where we are failing. 'We need these systemic changes to address that fundamental problem, so that people – both victims and defendants – can get a fair trial in a timely way.'
South Wales Argus
14-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Court reforms vital to tackle ‘scandalous disgrace' of backlog, says Ken Clarke
Given the mounting trial logjam, the Government has 'no choice' but to swiftly accept proposed reforms, which would see less cases heard by juries, according to the Conservative peer. Last week, plans to reduce the number of jury trials and create a new type of crown court where cases are heard by judges were unveiled by Sir Brian Leveson. The review commissioned by the Government seeks to 'reduce the risk of total system collapse' amid a record-high backlog where some cases are listed for 2029. It comes after the crown court backlog in England and Wales passed 75,000 cases for the first time, rising to 76,957 at the end of March. Lord Clarke said there is 'no choice' but to implement Sir Brian Leveson's recommendations (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Sir Brian's recommendations are expected to save approximately 9,000 sitting days in the crown court each year from some of the main changes, such as by diverting cases to magistrates' courts or to the proposed Crown Court Bench Division for trials to be heard by judges. Juries would be reserved to hear the most serious cases. Ministers are now considering the recommendations and will respond in the early autumn with a view to legislation. The Government has already accepted a raft of reforms proposed in a separate independent sentencing review by former justice secretary David Gauke to tackle jail overcrowding. Speaking in Parliament, Lord Clarke of Nottingham, who also previously served as justice secretary, said: 'Does the minister accept that it is a scandalous disgrace that in this country some victims and people charged with offences have to wait months and sometimes years before a trial can take place? 'Does he therefore agree that, in those circumstances, the Government have no choice but to accept as quickly as possible the excellent recommendations made by Sir Brian Leveson, because I hear of no alternatives? 'Will he undertake that they will not take too long reviewing and considering these matters? 'This should proceed as rapidly as possible with the full support of everybody who has the interests of the rule of law and justice in this country at heart.' Welcoming his support, justice minister Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, who is also a sitting magistrate, said: 'Data published last month showed the backlog stood at nearly 77,000 cases. That is an increase of 2,300 cases over the previous quarter. 'If we were not to take any action, it is projected that the outstanding caseload would be 100,000 in 2028. Clearly, that is unacceptable, and I absolutely take the point he made.' Leading lawyer and independent crossbencher Lord Pannick said: 'Does the minister agree that, in addressing the very serious problems faced by the criminal justice system, it is important not to romanticise the jury, given that 90% of all criminal trials in this country are heard without a jury and relatively speedily – not as speedily as perhaps they could be, but relatively so – and they are heard effectively and with justice.' Lord Ponsonby said: 'Of course I would agree because, as a magistrate, I was among those who hear 90% of all criminal cases. 'There is no right to a jury trial. However, there is a right to a fair trial. 'For a fair trial, it must be heard in a timely manner. That is where we are failing. 'We need these systemic changes to address that fundamental problem, so that people – both victims and defendants – can get a fair trial in a timely way.'
Rhyl Journal
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Court reforms vital to tackle ‘scandalous disgrace' of backlog, says Ken Clarke
Given the mounting trial logjam, the Government has 'no choice' but to swiftly accept proposed reforms, which would see less cases heard by juries, according to the Conservative peer. Last week, plans to reduce the number of jury trials and create a new type of crown court where cases are heard by judges were unveiled by Sir Brian Leveson. The review commissioned by the Government seeks to 'reduce the risk of total system collapse' amid a record-high backlog where some cases are listed for 2029. It comes after the crown court backlog in England and Wales passed 75,000 cases for the first time, rising to 76,957 at the end of March. Sir Brian's recommendations are expected to save approximately 9,000 sitting days in the crown court each year from some of the main changes, such as by diverting cases to magistrates' courts or to the proposed Crown Court Bench Division for trials to be heard by judges. Juries would be reserved to hear the most serious cases. Ministers are now considering the recommendations and will respond in the early autumn with a view to legislation. The Government has already accepted a raft of reforms proposed in a separate independent sentencing review by former justice secretary David Gauke to tackle jail overcrowding. Speaking in Parliament, Lord Clarke of Nottingham, who also previously served as justice secretary, said: 'Does the minister accept that it is a scandalous disgrace that in this country some victims and people charged with offences have to wait months and sometimes years before a trial can take place? 'Does he therefore agree that, in those circumstances, the Government have no choice but to accept as quickly as possible the excellent recommendations made by Sir Brian Leveson, because I hear of no alternatives? 'Will he undertake that they will not take too long reviewing and considering these matters? 'This should proceed as rapidly as possible with the full support of everybody who has the interests of the rule of law and justice in this country at heart.' Welcoming his support, justice minister Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, who is also a sitting magistrate, said: 'Data published last month showed the backlog stood at nearly 77,000 cases. That is an increase of 2,300 cases over the previous quarter. 'If we were not to take any action, it is projected that the outstanding caseload would be 100,000 in 2028. Clearly, that is unacceptable, and I absolutely take the point he made.' Leading lawyer and independent crossbencher Lord Pannick said: 'Does the minister agree that, in addressing the very serious problems faced by the criminal justice system, it is important not to romanticise the jury, given that 90% of all criminal trials in this country are heard without a jury and relatively speedily – not as speedily as perhaps they could be, but relatively so – and they are heard effectively and with justice.' Lord Ponsonby said: 'Of course I would agree because, as a magistrate, I was among those who hear 90% of all criminal cases. 'There is no right to a jury trial. However, there is a right to a fair trial. 'For a fair trial, it must be heard in a timely manner. That is where we are failing. 'We need these systemic changes to address that fundamental problem, so that people – both victims and defendants – can get a fair trial in a timely way.'
