The Justice Secretary David Lammy will outline plans to massively scale back the jury system today
The Ministry of Justice says there are 80,000 outstanding cases queuing up to appear in the Crown Court — and that the backlog will hit 100,000 without swift action.
He is understood to have backed off his plan to scrap jury trials for all but the most serious cases after a strong backlash from judges and the public
Lammy is set to announce he’s scrapping jury trials for “either way” cases later today
These are offences like assault, burglary and drug dealing that fall between minor and serious crime, giving defendants the right to choose the Magistrates’ or Crown Court
Lammy said: “Today 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.
“For many victims, justice delayed is often justice denied. Some give up on the process, while others have no confidence justice will be served if they report a crime, and perpetrators never held to account.
Other Measures will include a £550 million investment in victim support services and an additional £34 million to attract more criminal barristers.
