MPs warn Lammy’s jury trial cuts may affect race relations
7 reported
A cross-party committee of MPs has concluded that Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy’s planned changes to criminal courts in England and Wales could have a “far-reaching” impact on race relations. The justice select committee said removing the right to elect for a crown court trial “has the potential to increase mistrust in the criminal justice system among the black community” because black defendants are more likely to elect for trial. A report released Wednesday called for a “clear national target” for black members of the senior judiciary after figures showed just 1% of crown court judges are black. The government faces possible rebellions when the courts and tribunals bill returns to the Commons. The committee chair, Labour MP Andy Slaughter, said it is “shocking” that the 1% figure has not changed since 2015. The report examined Lammy’s proposal to remove the right to elect for crown court trials in either-way cases such as theft, actual bodily harm, and burglary. MPs noted that in 2022, 26% of black defendants elected for trial in the crown court, compared with 19% of mixed ethnicity, 17% Asian, and 15% of white defendants. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson defended the reforms, citing a need to get cases heard faster and protect jury trials for the most serious crimes.
What’s reported
The justice select committee said Lammy’s plan to remove the right to elect for crown court trial could increase mistrust among the black community.
A report released Wednesday called for a national target for black members of the senior judiciary.
Only 1% of crown court judges are black, a figure unchanged since 2015.
In 2022, 26% of black defendants elected for crown court trial, compared with 19% mixed ethnicity, 17% Asian, and 15% white.
The committee warned the target of 21,000 magistrates by 2029 is “unrealistic.”
The government faces possible rebellions from its own ranks, including 38 MPs who signed a letter urging the prime minister to reverse the plans.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said the reforms will get cases heard faster and protect jury trials for the most serious crimes.
Key figures
David Lammy, deputy prime minister and justice secretary
Andy Slaughter, Labour MP and chair of the justice select committee
Sir Brian Leveson (quoted by Ministry of Justice spokesperson)
Ministry of Justice spokesperson (unnamed)
Sources: The Guardian
