The Latest Breaking News from Brian Leveson

Tom Hayes called on MPs to block the ‘dangerous’ idea

London’s Victims Commissioner details shocking number of victims who abandon hope of seeing justice being done as she calls for ‘radical’ new approach

When the right to trial by jury is radically cut back later this year or early next, let’s not pretend it’s because anyone has come up with a better idea for handling criminal cases.

The right to trial by jury is a fundamental part of the criminal justice system in England and Wales. But under new proposals to address a record backlog of almost 77,000 Crown Court cases, some cases could now be heard by judge alone.

Plans to reduce the number of jury trials and create a new type of crown court where trials are heard by judges were unveiled on Wednesday.

IN FULL

The government is considering sweeping court reforms proposed in a review by Sir Brian Leveson

Sir Brian Leveson said his reforms are necessary to avoid the collapse of the criminal justice system

Senior judge Sir Brian Leveson unveils radical proposals to clear huge backlog in crown courts in England and Wales