The government wants to abolish jury trials in order to address a court backlog caused by its own cuts, under the pretence that it was caused by Covid.
Covid has pushed the backlog to 41,000. This, apparently, demands urgent action.
Action means resourcing the system properly, re-opening courts, sourcing alternative venues.
In 2014, there was a backlog of over 50,000 cases. Nobody suggested removing jury trial.
It would be a disaster. Make no mistake.
With respect, they do not speak with knowledge or authority on this subject.
The government has had since March to identify 'Nightingale' courts to make jury trial workable. It has done nothing. It has sat on its hands, letting the backlog grow.
Now it will say that there is no choice but to replace juries.
Lie.
🔴The court backlog was caused by govt cuts, not Covid
🔴We had a bigger backlog in 2014 and nobody suggested abolishing juries
🔴Any decision to replace juries with judges & magistrates would be in the interests of government, not justice.
But the government is not promising to improve justice - just to make it cheaper.