Government scraps controversial plan to restrict jury trials

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Oct, 10:07 · Archive

The government has abandoned plans to restrict jury trials after widespread backlash.

The government has abandoned plans to restrict jury trials following significant backlash. Justice Secretary Alex Norris has reversed his predecessor David Lammy's controversial policy, which would have removed juries from cases carrying sentences of less than three years and instead heard them before judges alone. Lammy had argued the drastic measure was necessary to clear the substantial courts backlog.

Labour MP Karl Turner, whose party whip was suspended after he criticised the original plans, welcomed the decision. The Ministry of Justice has announced that only some fraud and financial cases will now be heard without juries, rather than the broad restrictions initially proposed.

How it is being reported

• Rebel MP Hails Labour Climbdown On Scrapping Jury Trials After BacklashHuffPost UK · 4 Oct, 09:47
• Controversial plan to curb jury trials scrappedEvening Standard · 4 Oct, 00:01

In this story: Karl Turner · Alex Norris · David Lammy · Ministry of Justice · Labour

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