Image source, UK ParliamentByPaul Seddon, Political reporter and Joshua Nevett, Political reporterPublished10 March 2026 MPs have voted to allow a bill that would curb access to jury trials in England and Wales to progress to the next stage, despite some Labour MPs stating their opposition to the reforms. The Courts and Tribunals Bill passed by 304 votes to 203, a majority of 101, with 10 Labour MPs rebelling against the government, and dozens abstaining. Justice Secretary David Lammy pleaded with Labour MPs to support his changes to jury trials and other reforms that he argued would reduce a record backlog of cases in crown courts. But the reforms and Lammy himself faced a barrage of criticism in emotional speeches, with one Labour MP saying the experiences of victims of rape had been "weaponised" in the debate. How did the courts backlog get so bad? Published18 December 2025 Thousands of lawyers oppose jury restriction plan Published20 hours ago
Published: March 10, 2026 6:02 pm
Source: BBC — Read original