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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Rajeev Syal Home affairs editor

Lammy lambasts ‘courts emergency’ as he prepares to face MPs over plans to slash jury trials

Close-up of David Lammy's face
David Lammy has also promised £550m of investment over three years to support victims and witnesses preparing to appear in court. Photograph: Jordan Pettitt/PA

A “courts emergency” that will surpass 100,000 outstanding cases without radical reforms is leaving victims waiting years for justice, David Lammy has said as he prepares to face MPs over plans to drop thousands of jury trials.

The justice secretary proposed last week to reduce the 78,000 outstanding cases in England and Wales by allowing jury trials only for serious crimes such as murder, rape and manslaughter. However he has reportedly backed down from implementing this after a strong backlash from the legal profession and other experts.

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