Letter warns proposed reforms to the jury system are “untested and poorly evidenced” ahead of commons debate on Courts and Tribunals Bill
More than 3,200 legal professionals, including senior barristers, retired judges and solicitors, have written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging a rethink of proposals that would restrict the right to jury trial,as MPs are preparing to debate the Courts and Tribunals Bill today.
In their letter, the signatories warn against what they describe as an “unpopular, untested and poorly evidenced change to our jury system.” They write: “Instead of draining valuable time and resources attempting to force through an unpopular, untested and poorly evidenced change to our jury system – and one that will only have effect, if any, in 2028/2029 – we urge the government to focus on the changes we know will make a difference now.”
The letter also highlights where delays arise within the criminal justice process. It notes that substantial waiting times occur before cases even reach court, pointing to official data showing that for rape cases the median time from offence to completion is 1,056 days, while 365 days represents the median court time from receipt in the Crown Court to completion.
Bar Council Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC said that curtailing jury trials risks eroding a fundamental constitutional principle. She said there is no clear evidence that restricting juries would meaningfully reduce delays in the courts and warned that such changes could lead to further appeals and legal challenges, potentially increasing pressure on the justice system.
While the government has argued that the reforms are necessary to modernise the courts and ensure quicker justice, critics contend that removing a long‑established right could have profound implications for fairness and public trust. The letter calls for reforms underpinned by evidence, including improved case management and addressing early-stage procedural delays, rather than removing jury trials from thousands of cases.