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Britain scraps plans to limit jury trials
Confirmed
In Short: Meanwhile, Britain announced sanctions against Israel for advancing construction in the E1 area between Ma'ale Adumim and Jerusalem, triggering a backlash from Israeli officials.
The British government announced on Sunday that it will scrap plans to remove the right to trial by jury for defendants in less serious criminal cases, where a jail sentence is likely to be less than three years.
Justice Secretary Alex Norris said, 'I have heard the strength of feeling on the proposals for increasing the number of judge-alone trials in the Crown Court and have made the decision to change course.'
The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) welcomed the government's decision, with CBA chair Andrew Thomas thanking the government for 'listening to the evidence and reaching the right verdict.' However, Thomas noted that 'a severe threat to our trial by jury remains,' referring to the government's plans to maintain complex fraud trials heard by a judge alone.
Critics argued that reducing jury trials would curtail defendants' fundamental right to be tried by a jury of their peers. David Lammy, the justice minister, had previously defended the proposal, stating that it would speed up justice.
Lawyers also raised concerns over the Ministry of Justice's (MoJ) decision to increase sentencing powers for magistrates, who hear trials for more minor offenses without a jury, and the removal of defendants' right to elect trial by jury.
The MoJ acknowledged that the current backlog of cases awaiting trial by jury in Crown Courts in England and Wales was nearly 81,000 at the end of June, almost double the figure in 2020.
Israeli security minister Itamar Ben Gvir responded by calling on Israel to recognize Argentina's sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and to impose sanctions on Britain as long as the occupation continues.
Ben Gvir's post drew criticism from across Britain's political spectrum, including from Rupert Lowe of the far-right Restore Britain party, who said it was 'entirely legitimate' to question Israel's official position.
UN bodies and most governments, including Britain, consider the settlements illegal under international law, while Israel argues the region is disputed and asserts Jews have a historical right to the land.
Backlash against the land seizures comes as Britain faces renewed Argentine claims to the Falklands Islands, a long-standing British Overseas Territory over which the two countries fought a war in 1982.
What's confirmed
- The British government announced on Sunday that it will scrap plans to remove the right to trial by jury for defendants in less serious criminal cases, where a jail sentence is likely to be less than three years.
- The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) welcomed the government's decision, with CBA chair Andrew Thomas thanking the government for 'listening to the evidence and reaching the right verdict.' However, Thomas noted that 'a severe threat to our trial by jury remains,' referring to the government's plans to maintain complex fraud trials heard by a judge alone.
- Critics argued that reducing jury trials would curtail defendants' fundamental right to be tried by a jury of their peers. David Lammy, the justice minister, had previously defended the proposal, stating that it would speed up justice.
- Lawyers also raised concerns over the Ministry of Justice's (MoJ) decision to increase sentencing powers for magistrates, who hear trials for more minor offenses without a jury, and the removal of defendants' right to elect trial by jury.
- The MoJ acknowledged that the current backlog of cases awaiting trial by jury in Crown Courts in England and Wales was nearly 81,000 at the end of June, almost double the figure in 2020.
- Israeli security minister Itamar Ben Gvir responded by calling on Israel to recognize Argentina's sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and to impose sanctions on Britain as long as the occupation continues.
- Ben Gvir's post drew criticism from across Britain's political spectrum, including from Rupert Lowe of the far-right Restore Britain party, who said it was 'entirely legitimate' to question Israel's official position.
- UN bodies and most governments, including Britain, consider the settlements illegal under international law, while Israel argues the region is disputed and asserts Jews have a historical right to the land.
- Backlash against the land seizures comes as Britain faces renewed Argentine claims to the Falklands Islands, a long-standing British Overseas Territory over which the two countries fought a war in 1982.
What's still developing
- Israel’s move to advance construction in the strategically significant E1 area between Ma’ale Adumim on the West Bank and Jerusalem has triggered growing backlash, with Britain announcing sanctions and 11 other countries threatening or considering trade restrictions on Jewish communities in the disputed area.
- European governments have strongly opposed the move, with Britain’s left-wing ruling party announcing sanctions Tuesday.
- Israeli ministers have sided with Argentina again despite Buenos Aires sanctioning an Israeli oil firm Israeli ministers have sided with Argentina again despite Buenos Aires sanctioning an Israeli oil firm Israeli ministers have called for sanctions on Britain for its “occupation” of the Falkland Islands amid furious backlash over the government’s plan to sanction Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
- He wrote on social media Israel should “stop recognising the Malvinas” only once Britain stops “recognising Palestine”.