What happened: Lord Chancellor David Lammy has suggested reducing the number of jury trials in England and Wales to clear a backlog of nearly 80,000 cases within ten years. He encourages MPs to support judge-only trials similar to those used in Canada.
Why it matters:
- Could speed up the justice system and reduce delays for defendants and victims.
- May face political opposition, affecting how criminal cases are tried in England and Wales.
MNN Take: The proposal aims to address court delays by shifting some criminal cases from jury trials to judge-only hearings, potentially streamlining the process while raising questions about legal traditions and fairness.
Sources: Guardian UK