London, November 30, 2025
UK Justice Secretary David Lammy has proposed a sweeping reform to drastically reduce jury trials in criminal cases across England and Wales, limiting them to only the most serious offences in an effort to address the extensive Crown Court backlog and deliver faster justice. The plan was debated in Parliament on November 27, 2025, amid strong opposition from legal experts and institutions.
Details of the Proposal
The proposed reforms would remove the right to a jury trial in up to 75% of criminal cases, confining jury trials solely to charges of murder, rape, manslaughter, and a limited number of cases deemed to be of public interest. This move aims to reduce the current backlog of nearly 80,000 cases in the Crown Court system, some of which face trial dates delayed until 2029. Lammy contends that the right to a jury trial is not absolute and that this change is necessary to speed up the delivery of justice, particularly for victims.
Legal Community’s Response and Concerns
The plan has elicited widespread criticism from prominent figures in the legal community. Barbara Mills KC, Chair of the Bar Council, described the proposal as a major constitutional change and an “irremediable error,” warning that it risks undermining the fundamental fairness of the justice system. Legal experts argue that the backlog is not caused by jury trials themselves but rather by systemic inefficiencies and underfunding of courts. Critics highlight the absence of substantial evidence demonstrating that restricting jury trials will significantly alleviate delays. They also take issue with the lack of prior piloting or modeling of the reforms before implementation.
Parliamentary Debate and Political Implications
During parliamentary discussions on November 27, numerous lawmakers voiced apprehensions that the plan threatens to permanently erode a long-standing legal right instead of serving as a temporary measure to tackle the crisis. Several pointed to governmental underinvestment and mismanagement as primary factors behind court delays, suggesting that addressing these issues would be more effective than curtailing jury trials. The debate underscored the delicate balance between efficiency and safeguarding constitutional safeguards.
Broader Impact on the Justice System
If enacted, the reforms would represent one of the most significant changes to criminal procedure in centuries. Legal professionals caution that sidelining juries could diminish public trust in the justice system, potentially jeopardizing perceptions of fairness and accountability. The Crown Court backlog remains a pressing issue, but how to resolve it without compromising key legal protections continues to divide policymakers and practitioners.
As discussions evolve, the outcome of this controversial proposal will likely shape the future of criminal justice in the UK, raising critical questions about balancing expediency with enduring rights.