The government is facing calls to reassess wide-ranging reforms that propose eliminating jury trials for all but the most severe cases. According to a leaked memo, Justice Secretary David Lammy emphasized the absence of an inherent right to jury trials in the UK and advocated for urgent measures to reduce the backlog of cases in crown courts in England and Wales.

Under the proposed changes, juries would retain jurisdiction only over murder, rape, or manslaughter cases, while the majority of other cases would be adjudicated by a single judge. These plans exceed the recommendations put forth by Sir Brian Leveson following his review of the criminal courts earlier this year.

Government insiders informed The Mirror that the reform could expedite case processing, offering relief to victims who have endured prolonged waits for justice. Nonetheless, the move has sparked controversy, with prominent figures in the criminal justice sector cautioning against the potential for “star chamber” justice, reminiscent of a historical judicial system where judges presided over cases independently.

Expressing concerns, the Bar Council, representing barristers in England and Wales, warned that such drastic changes could erode trust in the justice system. Chair Barbara Mills KC underscored that the crisis within the criminal justice system does not stem from jury trials and advocated for addressing inefficiencies before implementing major structural alterations.

Mills emphasized the need for rigorous testing and modeling of any new court system before discarding established practices, highlighting the importance of building trust and confidence in the criminal justice process. The Justice Department has been contacted for further input.