Why Lammy wants to scrap some jury trials – and the arguments against

There will be guaranteed jury trials for almost all indictable offences including rape, murder, aggravated burglary, blackmail, people trafficking, grievous bodily harm and the most serious drug offences. Photograph: Glenn Hunt/AAP

After weeks of speculation, the UK government’s justice secretary, David Lammy, has announced plans that will take thousands of trials in England and Wales away from the jury system, to be heard instead by judges and magistrates. How did we reach this point and what has been the reaction to the proposed changes?

Does the jury system need changing?