From The Straits Times · · 1m
Britain scraps jury trial plans after backlash
Britain drops jury trial restrictions following lawyer and politician criticism.
In brief
Britain drops jury trial restrictions following lawyer and politician criticism. Britain abandoned plans to limit jury trials for minor crimes after backlash from legal experts and politicians. Originally reported by The Straits Times.
Government drops jury trial plans
Britain scrapped plans to limit jury trials for less serious crimes after strong criticism from lawyers and politicians.
Early prisoner releases
Hundreds of prisoners were released early to prevent prisons from becoming full as part of a criminal justice crisis.
Backlog of jury trials
Nearly 81,000 jury trials were pending in England and Wales at the end of June, almost double the 2020 figure.
Increased magistrate powers
The government increased magistrates' sentencing powers for minor offences, raising concerns about court delays.
Legal backlash
Lawyers criticized the move for curtailing defendants' right to trial by jury of their peers.
Government response
The government maintained plans for complex fraud trials to be heard by judges alone, despite a 2026 review rejecting the idea.
What to remember
Britain abandoned plans to limit jury trials for minor crimes after backlash from legal experts and politicians.
