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UK to Move Shorter-Sentence Trials Out of Juries — 'Swift Courts' to Speed Up Justice

Justice Secretary David Lammy has announced plans to shift criminal trials expected to attract sentences under three years from juries to judge- and magistrate-led 'swift courts' in England and Wales. The government says the change will process cases about 20% faster and remove the right to request a jury for matters that can be heard by a magistrate. The reforms are described as permanent and will be paired with a substantial multi-million-pound victim support package. Officials cite a growing caseload—currently near an 80,000-trial backlog and a projected 100,000 cases over three years—as the rationale.

12:58 AM, 12/03/2025Politics
UK to Move Shorter-Sentence Trials Out of Juries — 'Swift Courts' to Speed Up Justice

British Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy announced reforms on Tuesday that will move criminal trials in England and Wales expected to result in sentences of less than three years out of jury trials and into judge- and magistrate-led 'swift courts.' More serious offences, including murder, robbery and rape, will continue to be decided by juries.

The government says the new process will speed case handling by roughly 20% compared with jury trials and aims to reduce delays that have left thousands of cases waiting for trial. Under the change, defendants will no longer have the legal right to request a jury trial for matters that can be handled by a magistrate; those cases will proceed through a judge-only route.

'Victims have waited long enough,' Lammy wrote on social media, saying ministers must take 'bold decisions' to tackle the emergency in the courts and deliver swifter justice.

Lammy warned that the Crown Court faces a mounting workload, with a current backlog approaching 80,000 pending trials and a projected caseload that could reach 100,000 over the next three years. In June, the attorney general also set out plans to remove juries from certain complex and costly fraud trials, replacing them with judge-led proceedings.

The Ministry of Justice described the measures as a 'bold reform' intended to place victims at the centre of the justice system. The announcement will be accompanied by a substantial, multi-million-pound package of support for victims, described by ministers as the largest such investment tied to court reform. That funding is intended to expand counselling, court advice and other specialist services to help survivors progress cases to conviction.

Critics warn that removing jury trials from a broad swathe of cases raises questions about democratic safeguards and public confidence in the justice system. Supporters argue the changes are a pragmatic response to chronic delays that harm both victims and defendants.

Details of the implementation timetable and eligibility criteria for 'swift courts' will be published by the Ministry of Justice; legal groups and campaigners are expected to scrutinise the legislation as it moves through Parliament.

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