Minister says ‘no closing resolution’ remodeled controversial plans to axe most jury trials
Sarah Sackman pledged to do ‘whatever it takes to protect the fundamental right to a fair trial’, saying jury trials would always be a ‘cornerstone’ of British justice
The Justice Minister has insisted a final decision has not been made amid plans to ditch jury trials for all but the “most serious cases”.
Sarah Sackman pledged to do “whatever it takes to protect the fundamental right to a fair trial”, saying jury trials would always be a “cornerstone” of British justice.
It comes after Justice Secretary David Lammy wrote in a memo to other ministers and senior civil servants this month, saying there is “no right” to jury trials in the UK and the move would not compromise a suspect’s rights.
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Responding to an urgent question, Ms Sackman told MPs: “Jury trials will always be a cornerstone of British justice.
“This Government will do whatever it takes to protect the fundamental right to a fair trial. The great British justice system, with all of its traditions, would never let victims wait, in some cases, four years for justice.
“There is, indeed, a clash of ideas between this side of the House and the Opposition. We are on the side of modernisation, of defending our values and of swifter justice for victims. Whilst they’re prepared to watch the system rot, not offering any answers.
“The vast majority of cases in our courts are already heard without juries. Around 90% of all criminal cases are dealt with robustly, fairly, by magistrates with no jury.”
The plans go well past those recommended by Sir Brian Leveson, who was commissioned to review the criminal courts and reported in July.
Sir Brian Leveson’s review of the courts system recommended juries be reserved to hear the most serious cases, with lower offences diverted to magistrates’ courts or to the proposed Crown Court Bench Division for trials to be heard by judges
Ms Sackman also tore into the Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, pointing out his repeated attacks on legal professionals.
She told MPs: “He (Jenrick) claims to care about the rule of law. He claims to care about ancient legal traditions. This is the same shadow justice secretary that denigrates our independent judges, that denigrates our legal community standing up for rights.
“The right to a jury trial for our most serious cases will remain a fundamental part of our British legal tradition.”.
Revealed earlier this week, the plans sparked a furious backlash from legal groups, who warned it would do little to address the massive court backlog.
The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, warned such radical reforms could see trust in the justice system decimated, while the Criminal Bar Association called it a “coordinated campaign against public justice”.
