Lammy's plan to cut trials by jury a massive mistake, say Labour MPs and campaigners

David Lammy has been accused by Labour MPs and peers of making a “massive mistake” after announcing radical plans to cut thousands of jury trials across England and Wales.

- Rajeev Syal Jessica Elgot

Many defendants will no longer have the option to choose to have their cases heard before a jury, the justice secretary told the Commons. Magistrates' powers will be extended from dealing with maximum sentences of one year to at least 18 months, he said, and a new judgeled court will be established.

The deputy prime minister has backed down on plans to remove jury trials for all cases involving a maximum jail term of five years after an outcry from MPs, lawyers and campaigners.

The proposals are closely aligned with the sentencing review by the retired judge Sir Brian Leveson, who had suggested diverting more offences to magistrates courts or to a new intermediate court called the crown court bench division.

The government has said:

• Jury trials will be reserved for cases in “indictable-only” offences such as murder and rape and “either-way” offences with a likely sentence of more than three years in prison.

• Defendants in “either-way” offences with likely sentences of three years or less will no longer be able to choose a jury trial.

• Magistrates court sentencing powers will be increased from one year to 18 months. The powers could also be extended to 24 months if necessary.

• A new tier of judge-only “swift” courts will be created to hear cases without a jury.