Government drops plan to restrict jury trials, keeps limited judge-alone fraud trials
The government under Prime Minister Andy Burnham has scrapped Keir Starmer-era plans to curb Crown Court jury trials, citing the "strength of feeling" against them. Judge-alone trials remain for some fraud cases, and magistrates gain powers, which lawyers criticise.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2The government has abandoned plans to reduce the number of jury trials in the Crown Court, a policy introduced under Sir Keir Starmer, with Andy Burnham now Prime Minister. Evening StandardN “The decision is a U-turn on proposals introduced under Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership in a bid to tackle the court backlog.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ The Straits TimesRC “Britain will scrap plans to remove the historic right to trial by jury for defendants in less serious criminal cases” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Mixed · 2Justice Secretary Alex Norris said: "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." Evening StandardN “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.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ The Straits TimesRC “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,” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Mixed · 2The Ministry of Justice said only some fraud and financial offences would still be heard by a judge alone; Reuters described these as complex fraud trials, an idea a government-commissioned review this year rejected. Evening StandardN “Only some fraud and financial offences will now be allowed to be heard before a judge alone without a jury” Read at Evening Standard ↗ The Straits TimesRC “though a government-commissioned review this year rejected the idea” Read at The Straits Times ↗
Centre · 1The original plan, championed by former justice secretary David Lammy, would have reserved jury trials for indictable-only offences such as murder and rape, and for either-way offences likely to carry a sentence of more than three years. Evening StandardN “Mr Lammy wanted to reserve jury trials for “indictable-only” offences such as murder and rape, and lesser “either-way” offences with a likely sentence of more than three years in prison.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Centre · 1Lammy had told MPs the changes were "desperately needed" to spare victims "agonising delays", and MPs backed them at second reading of the Courts and Tribunals Bill earlier this year. The plans followed recommendations by Sir Brian Leveson, who found no constitutional or common law right to a jury trial. Evening StandardN “It was supported by MPs at the first Commons hurdle earlier this year.”“In his review, the former senior judge found there is “no constitutional or common law” right” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Centre · 1The Crown Court backlog stood at 80,829 cases at the end of June, almost double the 2020 figure. Norris said scrapping the proposal would let the government cut the backlog faster, as it requires less structural change. Evening StandardN “MoJ figures showed there were 80,829 cases still to be dealt with at the end of June, with the backlog almost doubling since 2020.”“Mr Norris insisted that scrapping the proposal would allow the Government to reduce the backlog faster, as it would require less structural change.” Read at Evening Standard ↗
Mixed · 2The MoJ is also removing the right of people accused of relatively minor either-way crimes to insist on a Crown Court jury trial, with courts having the final say, and is increasing magistrates' sentencing powers. The changes will go into the Courts and Tribunals Bill, due back in Parliament later this month. Evening StandardN “criminals accused of “relatively minor crimes” losing the right to choose a Crown Court jury trial rather than a magistrates one”“The changes will be made to the Courts and Tribunals Bill, due back in Parliament later this month.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ The Straits TimesRC “the MoJ's decision to increase sentencing powers for magistrates” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Mixed · 2Labour MP Karl Turner, a barrister who lost the Labour whip after criticising the plans, welcomed the decision and said Burnham had honoured a commitment to drop the proposed Crown Court Bench Division. He warned that unworkable proposals would not get through the House of Lords. MetroLC “Prime Minister Andy Burnham has honoured the commitment he gave me to drop the proposed Crown Court Bench Division (CCBD)” Read at Metro ↗ Evening StandardN “they will not secure the support they need in the House of Lords.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Centre · 1Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy called it a "major victory" for defenders of jury trial but accused Labour of "restricting juries by the back door". The Law Society's president Mark Evans called it a "common-sense position" but warned that shifting cases to overstretched magistrates' courts risks serious cases facing summary justice. Evening StandardN “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.”“risks serious cases facing summary justice” Read at Evening Standard ↗
Right · 1Reuters reported that the Criminal Bar Association broadly welcomed the decision, though its chair Andrew Thomas said "a severe threat to our trial by jury remains", and the Bar Council's chair Kirsty Brimelow said giving magistrates greater powers could be counterproductive. Reuters also noted the announcement comes as hundreds of prisoners are being released early to avoid overcrowding. The Straits TimesRC “a severe threat to our trial by jury remains”“hundreds of prisoners were released early to stop prisons becoming full” Read at The Straits Times ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left3 outlets
- Framing
- Metro leads on Burnham abandoning the plans over 'strength of feeling', framing it as a reversal of the Starmer-era policy with the backlog case and Lammy's rationale set out.
- Emphasis
- Burnham's decision, Karl Turner's thanks and the Law Society's concerns.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Omits the removal of the right to elect jury trial and the opposition party reactions.
- Charged language
- “abandons”
- For example
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“Plans to cut the number of Crown Court cases involving juries were unveiled under Sir Keir Starmer” — Metro
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- The Standard calls it a U-turn and gives the fullest account, with reactions from across parties and legal bodies.
- Emphasis
- Turner's welcome, Norris's statement, the change to elect-trial rights, and criticism from Conservatives, Lib Dems, Greens and the Victims' Commissioner.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention early prisoner releases or the Criminal Bar Association's response.
- Charged language
- “U-turn”“Controversial”
- For example
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“The decision is a U-turn on proposals introduced under Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership in a bid to tackle the court backlog.” — Evening Standard
Right3 outlets
- Framing
- Reuters copy in the Straits Times frames it as a government retreat after a backlash from lawyers and politicians, set against a wider criminal justice crisis.
- Emphasis
- Criminal Bar Association and Bar Council reaction, early prisoner releases, and the judiciary's security concerns.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Gives no party-political reaction or Turner's role.
- Charged language
- “heavily criticised”“furious backlash”
- For example
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“comes as hundreds of prisoners were released early to stop prisons becoming full, in just one element of a criminal justice crisis.” — The Straits Times
What every side reports
- The government has dropped the plan to curb Crown Court jury trials.
- Justice Secretary Alex Norris said he had heard the 'strength of feeling' and changed course.
- Some fraud trials can still be heard by a judge alone.
- The Crown Court backlog was about 81,000 cases at the end of June, almost double 2020.
Where accounts differ
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Whether jury trial is truly preserved
- Left
- Metro reports juries will be retained for most cases and quotes the Law Society's concern about more cases going to magistrates.
- Centre
- The Standard quotes Conservative Nick Timothy saying Labour is restricting juries 'by the back door' by scrapping the right to elect a jury.
- Right
- Reuters, carried by the Straits Times, says lawyers welcomed the change but warned 'a severe threat to our trial by jury remains'.
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The Crown Court backlog stood at about 80,829 cases at the end of June, roughly double the 2020 figure.
Reported- Reports 3
- Metro, Evening Standard, The Straits Times
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Jury trials will be retained for most cases, with only some fraud and financial offences heard by a judge alone.
Reported- Reports 3
- Metro, Evening Standard, The Straits Times
Alex Norris person
Says he heard the strength of feeling and changed course, and that this lets the government start cutting the backlog sooner while remaining committed to structural reform.
“This allows us to start that work far earlier” — Evening Standard
Karl Turner person
Welcomes the decision, credits Burnham for keeping a commitment, but says the fight is not over and warns the Lords may block unworkable proposals.
“the fight to protect access to justice and ensure justice is properly served for both victims and the accused does not end here” — Evening Standard
Andy Burnham person
Described by Turner as having honoured a commitment to drop the Crown Court Bench Division; the coverage quotes no direct statement from him.
“I am hugely grateful to Andy Burnham for his support during my campaign” — Metro
Left3 articles
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MetroLC ·
Andy Burnham abandons plans to curb jury trials over ‘strength of feeling’
Neutral Reports Burnham's abandonment of the plan with background on the backlog and stakeholder reactions.
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Centre1 article
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Controversial plan to curb jury trials scrapped
Neutral Comprehensive account of the U-turn with broad cross-party and legal reaction.
Right3 articles
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The Straits TimesRC · · via Reuters
Britain scraps heavily criticised plans to curb jury trials after backlash
Mixed Reuters wire copy presenting the scrapping as a response to backlash amid a wider justice crisis, with lawyers still concerned about magistrates' powers.
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Arab NewsRC · · via Reuters
Britain scraps heavily criticized plans to curb jury trials after backlash
- 3 Oct 10:29 First MetroLC Andy Burnham abandons plans to curb jury trials over ‘strength of feeling’
- 4 Oct 00:01 +13h 32m Evening StandardN Controversial plan to curb jury trials scrapped
- 4 Oct 00:01 +13h 32m The GuardianLC Ministers drop plans to cut jury trials in England and Wales after outcry
- 4 Oct 00:02 +13h 33m Daily MirrorL Andy Burnham praised for axing controversial plan to curb jury trials
- 4 Oct 00:08 +13h 39m The Straits TimesRC Britain scraps heavily criticised plans to curb jury trials after backlash via Reuters
- 4 Oct 01:04 +14h 35m GB NewsR Barristers brand Andy Burnham's jury trials move 'car crash' within seconds of U-turn
- 4 Oct 01:26 +14h 58m Arab NewsRC Britain scraps heavily criticized plans to curb jury trials after backlash via Reuters
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.