MPs approve legislation aimed at tackling crown court backlog, though jury trial reforms face criticism and further scrutiny
The UK government’s proposed overhaul of criminal court procedures has cleared its first parliamentary hurdle after MPs voted to allow the Courts and Tribunals Bill to proceed to the next stage, despite visible dissent within the governing party.
During a second reading debate in the House of Commons, MPs approved the bill by 304 votes to 203, delivering a government majority of 101. However, the vote exposed divisions among Labour MPs, with 10 MPs rebelling against the proposals and around 90 registering no vote, indicating abstentions.
The reforms, introduced by David Lammy, aim to address the growing backlog in the Crown Court by limiting access to jury trials in certain cases and introducing broader procedural changes across the courts system.
Lammy urged Labour colleagues to support the legislation, arguing that the justice system faces unprecedented delays and requires structural reform to restore timely access to justice.
Labour MP Charlotte Nichols waived her right to anonymity as a rape survivor while addressing the chamber. She told MPs she waited 1,088 days for her criminal case to reach court, describing the delay as “agony” and criticising how survivors’ experiences had been used within the broader political argument over jury reforms.
Nichols said the accused was ultimately acquitted in the criminal trial, although she later secured compensation after a civil court found she had been raped.
Meanwhile, Labour MP Natalie Fleet, who has also spoken publicly about surviving sexual violence, defended the reforms. She argued that lengthy delays in the justice system could compound harm to victims and that procedural changes were needed to ensure cases are resolved more quickly.
Opposition parties and some Labour MPs raised concerns about the speed and scope of the proposals.
Conservative shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy criticised the government for pushing the bill through Parliament “at breakneck speed”, noting that the legislation had been published less than two weeks before the vote.
Meanwhile Jess Brown-Fuller argued that restricting jury trials would not significantly reduce the Crown Court backlog, describing jury trial as one of the most trusted elements of the justice system.
Although the bill has cleared its second reading, it now faces detailed scrutiny during the committee stage, where MPs are expected to challenge provisions related to jury trial restrictions.
The vote represents an early test of Keir Starmer’s ability to maintain party unity on controversial justice reforms the government argues are necessary to tackle the courts backlog.