Barristers' deep concern' over jury trials proposal

B ARRISTERS from across Britain and Ireland have said they are "deeply concerned" by the UK Government's plans to curb the number of jury trials.

- DAVID LYNCH Press Association [e-mail]

The "Four Bars", the bodies representing barristers across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, have weighed in on the reforms being spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy.

Justice Secretary Mr Lammy wants to limit jury trials to the most serious offences, and those with a likely sentence of more than three years.

Ministers hope that reducing the number of jury trials will help to clear the backlog of cases in the criminal courts system but the plans have been met with widespread criticism.

The proposals followed from an independent review by Sir Brian Leveson, a retired Court of Appeal judge, who recommended a form of jury-free trial as part of a series of "fundamental" reforms to the courts.