Andy Burnham scraps controversial plans to curb jury trials

Andy Burnham has scrapped the Government's controversial plans to curb jury trials.

The Prime Minister U-turned on the contentious proposals introduced during Sir Keir Starmer's premiership which aimed to reduce the UK courts backlog.

But now, only some fraud and financial offences will be heard before a judge without a jury present, according to the Ministry of Justice.

Justice Secretary Alex Norris decided to 'change course' after hearing the 'strength and feeling on the proposals'.

Labour backbenchers, rival parties and top barristers opposed the plans over fairness and lack of evidence that it would tackle the massive backlog of court cases.

Barrister Karl Turner, who was stripped of the Labour Whip earlier this year after he criticised the plan, welcomed the decision to stop the legislation.

He thanked Mr Burnham 'for his support during my campaign'.

Mr Turner, who has been the outspoken MP for Kingston upon Hull East since 2010, said that he had 'engaged directly with the Justice Secretary' about the issue in recent weeks. 

Prime Minister Andy Burnham applauds at the end of Britain's Labour Party's annual conference

Pictured: Outspoken barrister and MP for Kingston upon Hull East Karl Turner

Speaking about the Government's decision to cancel the proposals, he said: 'I strongly welcome the fact that the new Justice Secretary, Alex Norris, has rightly binned the unworkable plans to curtail jury trials pursued under the previous Labour prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer.

The Hull East MP added that he will continue to press the Government on providing a right to a fair trial.

'This is an important step, but the fight to protect access to justice and ensure justice is properly served for both victims and the accused does not end here'.

Former Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy championed the plans to limit jury trials but faced huge backlash to the Bill in Parliament.

He previously told MPs the reforms were 'desperately needed' in order to prevent victims from facing 'agonising delays'.

Ministry of Justice figures showed that at the end of June, there were 80,829 cases awaiting court with the backlog having doubled since 2020.

Mr Lammy wanted the Courts and Tribunals Bill to limit the jury trials in England and Wales to only those cases with a likely sentence of three years or more such as murder or rape.

While other cases with a likely sentence of three years or less would have been heard without a jury in front of a single crown court judge.

Justice Secretary Alex Norris leaving Westminster Abbey after attending the annual Judges Service on October 1

Former Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy speaking about criminal court reform last year

Mr Norris insisted that scrapping the proposal would allow the Government to reduce the backlog faster, as it would require less structural change.

The Ministry of Justice also announced that criminals accused of 'relatively minor crimes' will lose the right to choose a Crown Court jury trial over a Magistrates' Court hearing.

This change would give courts the final say on where and how the 'either-way' offences are dealt with in the legal system. 

The Justice Secretary said: 'This Government inherited criminal courts on the brink of collapse, with victims waiting years for their day in court.

'I remain committed to bringing down the backlog and delivering swifter justice for those who so desperately need it.

'But I have heard the strength of feeling on the proposals for increasing the number of judge-alone trials in the crown court and have made the decision to change course.

Mr Norris added that the cancelled plans will mean victims do not have to endlessly wait for justice. 

'Justice delayed is justice denied, and I am committed to maximising efficiencies in our system alongside record investment. 

'I remain committed to structural reform which is crucial if we are to bring down the backlog.'

The changes will be made to the Courts and Tribunals Bill, when it is back on the agenda in Parliament later this month.  

Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy said: 'This is a major victory for everyone who fought to defend trial by jury, and Conservatives led that fight from day one. 

'Labour have been forced to abandon its central attack on jury trials in the Crown Court.

'Labour are restricting juries by the back door, scrapping the right to elect one and dumping those cases on magistrates whose backlog is at a record high.'

The proposed reforms were a response to recommendations made by Sir Brian Leveson to overhaul the courts system.

In his review, the former senior judge found there is 'no constitutional or common law' right, or right within European human rights law, for a defendant to be tried by a jury, and so there was no need to limit reforms because of this.