Prime Minister Andy Burnham indicates he will abandon plans to curtail jury trials in England and Wales, reversing a significant policy inherited from Keir Starmer's government. Burnham cited concerns stemming from the Hillsborough disaster, despite the proposals aiming to clear a backlog of nearly 80,000 court cases.
Climate activists charged with protest offenses fear losing their right to jury trials due to repeated case delays. Proposed government changes, expected in 2028, could limit jury trials for 'either-way' offenses, potentially leading to more guilty verdicts.
David Lammy and Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr are launching a new board to recruit more minority ethnic and working-class solicitors into the judiciary. The initiative aims to address criticisms of bias and improve representation, though some groups question the effectiveness of the process.
Labour's King's Speech unveils bills to reset EU relations, nationalise British Steel, reform NHS, education, housing, and immigration, amidst potential backlash from Labour MPs on asylum measures.
The victims' commissioner has made a formal complaint after rape survivors described breaking down in tears during a Westminster evidence session about changes to jury trials. Claire Waxman said she could not in good conscience encourage victim-survivors to participate in sessions that may cause retraumatisation. Survivors described the questioning as "pugnacious" and "threatening", with one stating she was "sobbing and struggling to breathe". Rape Crisis and Women's Aid also raised concerns about the "adversarial" tone.
Geoffrey Robertson KC, founder of Keir Starmer's barristers' chambers, has strongly criticized proposed restrictions on jury trials in England and Wales, calling them a 'betrayal of Labour values' and a 'cure worse than the disease'.
