Seismic shake-up with Swift Courts for faster justice

CRIMINALS facing sentences of less than three years for offences such as burglary, drug possession and some forms of sexual assault will lose access to jury trials.

- BY SOPHIE HUSKISSON

David Lammy yesterday unveiled a seismic shakeup of the courts system.

The Justice Secretary - also Deputy PM - announced controversial measures to curb jury trials to help victims get faster justice, amid years-long waits for court dates in England and Wales.

But he faced a massive backlash from some Labour MPs and senior lawyers.

Juries will still remain for the most serious crimes including rape, murder, kidnap, rioting, terrorism and robbery.

Offences which are likely to receive a sentence of more than three years will also be heard by a jury.

But those likely to get a sentence below that will have their case heard by a lone judge in new "Swift Courts".