Today in Focus Juries out? Why Labour is scrapping some jury trials – The Latest
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Dec 2, 2025 Joining Lucy Hough is Alexandra Topping, a Senior reporter at The Guardian focusing on crime and social issues. They explore David Lammy's proposal to replace jury trials with judge-only hearings for minor offenses, aiming to tackle court backlogs. Alexandra sheds light on the implications for victims, particularly in sexual assault cases, and discusses systemic failures in the justice system. They also address public trust concerns and the broader impact on legal diversity, raising profound questions about the future of justice.
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Major Shift From Juries To Judges
- David Lammy plans to shift most 'either-way' criminal cases from juries to judges to speed up processing.
- This removes defendants' choice and affects cases including sexual assault, coercive control and some frauds.
Swift Courts Aim To Reduce Delays
- The Leveson-backed 'swift courts' aim to speed trials by about 20%.
- Lammy frames the proposal as a low-cost lever amid wider underfunding and delays in the system.
Fund Courts And Fix Operational Failures
- Invest more in court funding and practical reforms like more sitting sessions instead of relying on structural changes alone.
- Address basic failures (courthouse upkeep, technology, barrister shortages) to reduce delays at source.