Jury trials to be scrapped for cases where sentences are likely to be less than three years, says Lammy – UK politics live

The GuardianTuesday, December 2, 2025 at 2:40:10 PM
Jury trials to be scrapped for cases where sentences are likely to be less than three years, says Lammy – UK politics live
  • Justice Secretary David Lammy has announced plans to eliminate jury trials for cases where sentences are likely to be less than three years, a move that has sparked significant debate regarding the judicial process in England and Wales. This decision comes amid ongoing discussions about the efficiency of the legal system and the role of jury trials in less serious offenses.
  • The proposed changes are intended to streamline court proceedings and reduce the backlog of cases, which has been a growing concern for the justice system. However, critics argue that this could undermine the rights of defendants and the integrity of the legal process, raising questions about fairness in the judicial system.
  • This development reflects a broader trend in legal reforms aimed at balancing efficiency with justice, as similar proposals have faced backlash in the past. The ongoing discourse highlights the tension between expediting legal processes and ensuring comprehensive legal protections, particularly in light of recent controversies surrounding human rights violations in prison management.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

Was this article worth reading? Share it

Recommended apps based on your readingExplore all apps
Continue Readings
David Lammy tells of ‘traumatic’ racial abuse in youth after Farage allegations
NegativeWorld Affairs
David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, has recounted his traumatic experiences of racial abuse during his youth, urging Nigel Farage to apologize for alleged racist comments made during their school years. This follows testimonies from over 20 former classmates of Farage, who have accused him of exhibiting racist and antisemitic behavior at Dulwich College.
Twelve more prisoners in England and Wales released in error in last month
NeutralWorld Affairs
Twelve prisoners in England and Wales were mistakenly released from custody in the past month, as confirmed by Justice Secretary David Lammy. This brings the total number of such incidents to twelve, with two of the released individuals still at large. Lammy stated that despite these occurrences, the overall trend of errors in prisoner releases is declining due to system improvements.
David Lammy expected to water down plans to scrap most jury trials
NegativeWorld Affairs
Justice Secretary David Lammy is expected to revise his proposal to eliminate jury trials for all but the most serious offenses, such as murder, manslaughter, and rape, following feedback from the cabinet. He indicated a preference for adhering to a recommendation by Sir Brian Leveson, which suggests that offenses likely to result in a sentence of three years or less should be handled by magistrates' courts.
Two mistakenly released prisoners still at large, says justice secretary
NegativeWorld Affairs
Justice Secretary David Lammy has confirmed that two prisoners who were mistakenly released from custody are still at large, following a total of twelve such incidents over the past month. This situation raises serious concerns about the management and oversight of the prison system.
Justice overhaul will 'save victims torment' - as some cases set to scrap jury trial
PositiveWorld Affairs
Justice Secretary David Lammy has announced a significant overhaul of the justice system, aiming to prioritize victims in the legal process. This reform includes proposals to eliminate jury trials for certain cases, focusing on streamlining the judicial process.