What happened: A report from the Institute for Government (IFG) found that plans to introduce judge-only trials in England and Wales would reduce crown court time by under 2%. The changes aim to reduce the backlog by limiting jury trials.
Why it matters:
- The crown court backlog is a significant issue affecting timely justice delivery.
- Criminal defendants and court staff are directly impacted by delays and procedural changes.
MNN Take: While judge-only trials are intended to speed up court cases, the IFG report suggests their effect on reducing delays will be minimal, indicating other measures may be needed to address the backlog.
Sources: Guardian UK