Get ready for some big changes in the UK justice system! Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy is unveiling a plan to tackle the courts crisis, aiming to give victims the “swift justice they deserve”. With a staggering 78,000 cases backlogged in crown courts and some trials pushed to 2030, it’s clear something needs to change.
Lammy’s proposals could see jury trials reserved for the most serious cases like murder and rape, shaking up the traditional system. Want quicker resolutions for less severe cases? They might be heading to magistrates’ courts or even new judge-only trials for complex fraud cases, similar to systems in Canada. The focus is on ensuring justice isn’t delayed, as current victims often face years of waiting.
While ministers warn this backlog could climb to 100,000 by 2028 without intervention, not everyone is on board. Legal experts, including the Law Society of England and Wales, have pushed back against limiting jury trials, calling it an extreme measure lacking real evidence for success.
In Lammy’s words, “justice delayed is often justice denied”. His fast and fair justice plan aims to restore confidence among victims that their cases will be heard, and swiftly. Stay tuned to see how these changes unfold and what they mean for the future of justice in the UK!