The government is contemplating eliminating the automatic right to a jury trial for fraud and certain sexual offenses in response to extensive court backlogs. Sir Brian Leveson proposed significant reforms, including the establishment of a new Crown Court Bench Division where cases can be heard by a judge and two magistrates. Additional recommendations include encouraging early guilty pleas with increased sentence reductions and hearing serious fraud cases solely by a judge. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood affirms a commitment to reducing the backlog and improving the justice system.
Without action, we risk total system collapse. These reforms are not small tweaks, but fundamental changes to make the system fit for the 21st century.
Justice delayed is justice denied. The record and rising court backlog means victims, witnesses, and defendants are waiting months, sometimes years, for cases to be heard.
Collection
[
|
...
]