Right to Jury Trial in England and Wales to Be Curtailed in Certain Cases

Justice Secretary David Lammy to Unveil Controversial Reform

London, 2 December 2025 – In a move that has ignited fierce debate, Justice Secretary David Lammy is set to announce a series of measures that will restrict the right to a jury trial for a range of criminal offences. The proposal is a cornerstone of a broader overhaul designed to address a chronic backlog that has strained the courts of England and Wales for years.

The reform would allow judges to dispense with juries in cases where the alleged offences are deemed “low‑level” or where the complexity of the evidence would make a jury trial impractical. Critics argue that such changes could erode a fundamental safeguard of the British legal system, while supporters claim they are essential to speeding up proceedings and reducing costs.

Key elements of the proposal include:

• Allowing bench trials for non‑violent offences carrying a maximum sentence of 12 months.
• Introducing a “dual‑track” system where cases with extensive forensic evidence can be heard by a judge alone.
• Setting a threshold for the use of juries based on the seriousness of the charge and the potential sentence.

Lammy emphasized that the changes are “a pragmatic response to a justice system that is simply unable to keep pace with the volume of cases.” He warned that without decisive action, the backlog could swell further, leading to longer pre‑trial detentions and delayed justice for victims.

Legal experts and civil‑rights groups have voiced strong opposition, warning that the removal of juries in even a limited set of circumstances could undermine public confidence in the fairness of trials. “The jury is a cornerstone of our democratic tradition,” said a spokesperson for the Liberty Foundation. “Any erosion of that right must be scrutinised rigorously.”

Parliament is expected to debate the reforms in the coming weeks, with a vote likely scheduled before the end of the year. If passed, the new rules could come into force as early as mid‑2026, marking a significant shift in how criminal justice is administered across England and Wales.