Andy Burnham has scrapped a controversial plan to curb jury trials in yet another reversal of one of Sir Keir Starmer’s major policies, reports BritPanorama.
The decision marks a U-turn on radical plans introduced by former justice secretary David Lammy under Starmer’s leadership, aimed at reducing the number of jury trials across England and Wales to tackle the court backlog.
The initial proposals faced significant backlash from MPs, lawyers, and campaigners, who condemned them as “madness” and inconsistent with Labour values.
Justice Secretary Alex Norris has now stated he decided to “change course” after assessing public and professional opinion. Under the revised plan, only some fraud and financial offences will be heard by a judge alone without a jury, according to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
During the announcement, Mr. Norris emphasized that the decision to scrap the proposal would allow the government to address the backlog more effectively by minimizing structural changes.
“This government inherited criminal courts on the brink of collapse, with victims waiting years for their day in court,” he stated. “I remain committed to bringing down the backlog and delivering swifter justice for those who so desperately need it.”
Norris added that he has heard the “strength of feeling” regarding the number of judge-alone trials in the crown court, prompting his decision to revert to previous procedures.
The scrapping of the proposal allows for an expedited effort to ensure that victims are not forced to wait indefinitely for justice. Norris noted, “Justice delayed is justice denied,” reaffirming his commitment to improving system efficiency alongside record investments.
This development signifies Burnham’s latest push away from Starmer’s legacy. In a previous context, Mr. Burnham had intervened to make the early release scheme more stringent following an urgent review of eligibility criteria.
Furthermore, last week, the Prime Minister raised the possibility of a second Brexit referendum while indicating potential reconsideration of Starmer’s post-Brexit red lines.
Previously, the plan to curb jury trials was championed by Lammy, who argued that reforms were necessary to prevent victims from facing “agonising delays.” His proposals aimed to confine jury trials to serious offences while allowing lesser cases to be adjudicated by a single crown court judge.
MoJ figures revealed 80,829 cases were pending at the end of June, with the backlog nearly doubling since 2020.
Barrister Karl Turner welcomed the decision after losing the Labour whip for criticizing the original plan, expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister for his support during his campaign. Turner had engaged directly with the justice secretary on this pressing issue in recent weeks.
The decision received praise from Mark Evans, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, highlighting the importance of fairness and public trust in the judicial system. He emphasized that investment must be new and substantial, given the long-standing resource depletion in public services.
Evans addressed concerns that pushing more cases into magistrates’ courts, which also struggle with backlogs, could exacerbate systemic pressures and undermine justice for serious offences.
Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Jess Brown-Fuller criticized the introduction of the proposal, advocating for concrete measures to reduce court backlogs to ensure victims receive the justice they deserve.
She pointed to the need for doubling courtroom sitting times and establishing specialist courts for victims of serious sexual offences, as promised in the Labour manifesto for the upcoming election.
Siân Berry, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, described the reversal as a victory for justice, asserting that it reaffirms the importance of jury trials within the UK legal framework.
In a significant overhaul of prior strategies, the MoJ will now prevent criminals accused of relatively minor offences from selecting Crown Court jury trials, granting courts discretion over where “either-way” offences are processed.
This adjustment has drawn criticism from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), warning of the potential for 25,000 cases annually, including serious assaults, to be transferred to magistrates—judges they deem ill-equipped to handle complex matters.
Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy labeled the decision a major victory for the Conservative Party and advocates of jury trials. He condemned the transfer of cases to magistrates amid an already record-high backlog.
Timothy remarked, “Labour are restricting juries by the back door, scrapping the right to elect one and dumping those cases on magistrates whose backlog is at a record high.” The significant pressures on the Crown Court continue to challenge judicial efficiency and public confidence in the system.
