Proposals would see ‘most sweeping transformation of criminal courts in a generation'
Key proposals include removing the automatic right to a jury trial for certain fraud and sexual offence cases, with some trials instead heard by a judge and two magistrates in a new Crown Court division.
These reforms aim to address a backlog of nearly 77,000 Crown Court cases, some scheduled until 2029, which Sir Brian warns could lead to "total system collapse."
Further recommendations include stripping defendants of the jury trial option for crimes with a maximum sentence of two years or less, and increasing the maximum sentence reduction for early guilty pleas to 40 per cent.
While welcomed by some, such as the Magistrates' Association, the Law Society cautions against "cherry picking" reforms, stressing the need for sustained investment across the entire justice system.
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