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major improvements in criminal justice systemSet to be unveiled this week, it will aim to “keep victim Front and Centre”, Justice Secretary David Lammy has announced, amid reports that jury trials could be significantly restricted.
Proposed changes expected to tackle record-high backlog crown courtsThe Ministry of Justice (MoJ) says this will save victims “years of suffering and delay”.
Although the MoJ has not yet released specific details of the shake-up, which Mr Lammy is expected to outline in the coming days, a memo has been seen many times The newspaper suggests a radical change.
According to a document Mr Lammy wrote to authorities this month, the jury will only hear cases of rape, murder, manslaughter and cases of public interest. Instead, minor crimes will be heard by a judge alone.
The proposals are based on the recommendations of Sir Brian Leveson’s review of the court system, which advocated reserving juries for the most serious cases, with other crimes transferred to magistrates’ courts or a new intermediate court featuring a judge and two ordinary magistrates.
The MoJ confirmed that Mr Lammy, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, intends to take forward many of Sir Brian’s suggestions.
However, many times The report said Mr Lammy’s note indicated he could proceed, potentially removing the common element from trials involving many serious crimes that carry a prison sentence of up to five years.
These potential changes have already been criticized, with Labour’s proposals for single-judge trials facing opposition over concerns about increased access to justice and racial discrimination.
The MoJ argues that an overhaul is urgently needed, as the backlog of cases in the crown courts is close to 80,000 and could rise to 100,000 by 2028 without intervention.
Some lawsuits are currently being listed till the end of 2030, increasing the number of alleged victims who are dropping their cases.
The department noted that while only about 3 percent of criminal cases currently involve a judge and jury, more than 90 percent of cases are already dealt with by magistrates without juries.
The courts are working at record levels, yet delays persist.
Mr Lammy said: “We have inherited a courts emergency; a justice system pushed to the brink. We cannot allow victims to suffer as they did under the previous government, we must put victims front and center of the justice system.
“Human life is put on hold behind every one of the thousands of cases waiting for trial. A rape victim is being told her case will not come before court until 2029. A mother who lost a child at the hands of a dangerous driver is waiting to get justice. A teenager attacked on her way to school has been left with years of delays before they can even begin to get their lives back on track.
“For many victims, justice delayed is tantamount to justice denied. This government chooses a system that works for the victims, not for the victims. One that ultimately denies brave survivors the justice they deserve.”
In contrast, Tory shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick criticized the potential reforms, saying: “Instead of depriving British citizens of ancient freedoms, David Lammy should organize his own department.
“The right to be tried by our peers has existed for over 800 years – it should not be carelessly discarded when the spreadsheet turns red.
“Lammy should pull his finger out and make the courts sit round the clock to reduce the backlog. 21,000 court sitting days have been missed this year alone.
“If (Chancellor) Rachel Reeves can find billions more dollars to pay benefits, she can also find money to clear empty courts.”