UK justice minister to announce major court modernisation, including potential curbs on jury trials to tackle a 100,000-case backlog.
LONDON: The UK justice minister is set to unveil what is described as the most sweeping modernisation of the courts in a generation.
Media reports indicate the reforms include plans to end jury trials for all but the most serious crimes.
The proposed changes would drastically restrict the historic right to a jury trial in England and Wales.
That right would be guaranteed only for defendants facing rape, murder, manslaughter or other cases passing a public interest test.
The mooted reforms have already prompted a backlash within the judiciary and among legal professionals.
More than 100 lawyers wrote to the justice ministry last week expressing concerns and complaining the sector is being ignored.
The government aims to cut a huge backlog in outstanding criminal cases dating back years.
It says the backlog is set to reach 100,000 by 2028 without urgent action.
Justice minister David Lammy will unveil a package of reforms in parliament on Tuesday.
His department has previously insisted no final decisions have been taken over curbing jury trials.
“I am calling time on the courts emergency that has left victims of the most serious crimes waiting years for justice and pushed the justice system to the brink of collapse,” he said in comments released beforehand.
“We must be bold. I will set out a fast and fair justice plan that gives victims and survivors the swift justice they deserve.”
Some victims currently wait as long as four years for their day in court.
Over 10% of adult rape cases are stopped because a victim withdraws from the process, according to the justice ministry.
It said the reforms will create faster routes for lower-level cases and free up Crown Court time.
This would allow the most serious crimes to be heard swiftly and fairly.
Lammy will also pledge RM2.9 billion in additional funding over three years to boost support services.
The funding will help victims and witnesses through the justice process.
Other measures include financially supporting training lawyers to become fully-fledged criminal barristers.
The focus is on encouraging young people from across society to participate.
The Times newspaper first reported last week on leaked plans for the majority of cases currently heard by juries.
Under the plan, those cases would be handled by a judge alone in Crown Court.
The BBC later revealed Lammy’s ministry plans to create a new tier of jury-less courts in England and Wales.
These courts would hear most crimes currently considered by Crown Court juries.
