Andy Burnham, who is set to become prime minister on July 20, is considering reversing the government's controversial plans to curb jury trials. The proposals, championed by current Justice Secretary David Lammy, aim to address the backlog in crown court cases by limiting jury trials to offenses with a potential sentence of three years or more.
Under the proposed legislation in the Courts and Tribunals Bill, cases with a likely sentence of three years or less would be decided by a single judge without a jury. This move has encountered considerable opposition from Labour backbenchers, rival political parties, and prominent barristers.
Burnham has previously voiced concerns about the plans, warning against removing "something that's a lynchpin of a fair society." He has urged the government to pause and reconsider the legislation, emphasizing that such a fundamental aspect of the justice system requires broad societal consent. While acknowledging the pressure on the courts, Burnham has indicated that any changes must proceed with caution.
Sources suggest that Burnham is prepared to remove the provisions related to jury trials from the Bill, allowing the remainder of the legislation to proceed through Parliament without the risk of being voted down. This would enable the wider Bill to continue its passage, sidestepping opposition to the jury trial changes.
Karl Turner, a Member of Parliament and a vocal critic of the proposed reforms, has stated that Burnham has been supportive of his campaign against the changes. Turner, a former barrister, has described the proposals as ill-conceived and less informed about the criminal justice system than his own.
David Lammy is expected to depart from his role as Deputy Prime Minister when Burnham takes office, with Lucy Powell reportedly being a strong candidate to succeed him. The future role of Lammy within Burnham's cabinet remains undetermined, with speculation about whether he will retain a position at the Ministry of Justice or be moved to another portfolio.