Lammy Proposes Limiting Jury Trials to Ease Court Backlog

Justice Secretary David Lammy announced plans Tuesday in the House of Commons to restrict jury trials in England and Wales for certain criminal offenses, aiming to address a severe backlog in the court system that has left nearly 80,000 cases waiting to be heard.

The reforms target "either way" offenses, which can be tried in either magistrates or Crown Court and carry a likely sentence of three years or less. Under the changes, defendants will no longer be able to elect a jury trial; instead, courts will decide the venue. These cases will be handled in new "swift courts" within the Crown Court, presided over by a single judge. Officials estimate this approach will deliver justice at least 20 percent faster than traditional jury trials, freeing up resources for more serious matters. Jury trials will remain in place for indictable-only offenses, such as murder, manslaughter, grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, blackmail, people trafficking, and serious drug offenses, as well as either-way cases with likely sentences exceeding three years.

Additional measures include increasing magistrates' sentencing powers from 12 months to 18 months imprisonment, with potential extension...