Senior lawyers 'concerned' over jury cuts

BARRISTERS from across Britain and Ireland have said they are “deeply concerned" by government plans to curb the number of jury trials.

- BY DAVID LYNCH

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

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

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 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. But the four bar councils warned the government's plans go beyond what Sir Brian recommended.