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UK justice Minister to present wide-ranging court reforms
Britain’s justice minister, David Lammy, announced that he will introduce what he describes as the most extensive overhaul of the court system “in a generation,” with proposals expected to significantly reshape how criminal cases are handled in England and Wales. The plan, aimed at easing a growing backlog of trials, could include limiting the automatic right to a jury trial.
Writing in The Telegraph, Lammy warned that without decisive action, the justice system risks a “complete collapse of public trust.” He is due to outline the full package of measures in Parliament, where he will argue that urgent reforms are needed to prevent further strain on courts already facing severe delays.
According to British media reports, the proposal would reserve jury trials for the most serious offenses—such as murder, rape, and manslaughter—or for cases that meet a public-interest threshold. Lower-level cases, including those carrying prison sentences of up to five years, could instead be handled by magistrates or newly created judge-only courts.
The prospect of reducing jury trials has already sparked opposition within the legal profession. More than 100 lawyers wrote to the Justice Ministry last week expressing deep concern over the implications for defendants’ rights and the principles of open justice.
Speaking to Sky News, Lammy defended the reforms, saying he has always supported the role of juries but warned that inaction could cause the system to “collapse.” The government argues that without intervention, the number of unresolved criminal cases could reach 100,000 by 2028.
Lammy’s plan includes creating faster pathways for minor offenses and reinforcing resources for the most serious cases, which currently face delays of several years. He also intends to allocate £550 million over three years to strengthen services for victims and witnesses, and to support training for young lawyers seeking to qualify as criminal barristers.
The reform package has drawn significant media attention in recent days, following a series of leaks and briefings hinting at the scope of the changes.