David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, is expected to announce plans to eliminate jury trials for thousands of cases, including assaults and drug offences, to address a backlog of nearly 80,000 cases. Lammy is justifying the change by focussing on victims and their delayed justice, but he’s receiving intense pushback from the profession. Critics have said…

Justice Secretary David Lammy’s proposal to eliminate jury trials for offences with potential jail sentences under five years faces significant opposition in the House of Lords. The reforms, which have been put forward as ministers look to reduce a backlog in the courts, would affect various crimes, including burglary and fraud. Lord Goldsmith, a former…

With a leaked memo revealing that Justice Secretary David Lammy is considering reforms that would scrap jury trials for most offences – apart from murder, rape or manslaughter cases – Criminal Bar Association (CBA) analysis shows that this would mean around 95% of criminal cases would not be heard before jurors. The proposal for a…

Career criminals armed with knives are avoiding prison due to a shortage of cells. In the year to June, 212 offenders with multiple convictions for knife-related crimes received suspended sentences, the highest in over a decade. Additionally, 71 were given community sentences – the highest number since 2015 – while six received cautions. Police reported…

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s new asylum policy has ignited backlash from Labour MPs. Reports indicate that children born in the UK to refugee parents may face deportation if their parents’ refugee status is revoked. A Home Office source stated this move aims to prevent “perverse incentives” for refugees to have children in the UK. Lord…

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