UK Justice Secretary Considers Major Jury Trial Reduction to Address 77,000-Case Backlog

The British criminal court system is facing a severe backlog, with nearly 77,000 cases awaiting trial and delays extending to 2029, prompting calls for radical reforms. Sir Brian Leveson, a former judge, has proposed a major overhaul including the creation of a new 'Crown Court (Bench Division)' where over 150 serious offences such as sexual grooming, child abduction, and causing death by careless driving would be tried by a judge and two magistrates instead of a jury, potentially reducing hearing times by at least 20%. Additionally, some offences would be downgraded to be handled by magistrates' courts to further ease the backlog. A separate recommendation would allow defendants, particularly in high-profile sex cases or those attracting significant public attention, to request judge-only trials, a system similar to those in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, though judges would retain discretion to deny such requests. These reforms aim to prevent the collapse of the justice system, which is currently hampered by factors such as the Covid pandemic, increased case complexity, and barristers' strike actions. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood supports these proposals, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the backlog to ensure timely justice for victims.