Home / Crime and Justice / Jury Trials Scrapped for Minor Crimes
Jury Trials Scrapped for Minor Crimes
2 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Jury trials for offenses with less than three years likely sentence to be ended.
- Swift courts aim to cut down court system delays.
- Many rape victims withdraw from prosecutions due to current delays.
The justice secretary has announced significant reforms to the court system, including the discontinuation of jury trials for crimes with a probable sentence under three years. This move is part of a broader plan to create "swift courts" and address critical backlogs that threaten to overwhelm the justice system. Projections indicate case loads could reach 100,000 by 2028, potentially pushing trials for currently charged suspects into 2030.
Serious offenses, such as murder, robbery, and rape, will continue to be heard by juries. However, the majority of criminal cases, currently managed by volunteer community magistrates, will see their workload expanded. This shift is intended to expedite the legal process, with officials estimating cases will be resolved a fifth faster than through traditional jury trials.
The reforms come amid severe consequences of current delays, including an estimated six out of 10 rape victims withdrawing from prosecutions. The government aims to significantly improve efficiency and victim support by accelerating the pace of justice and reducing the time suspects and victims spend awaiting trial.
