A survey revealed that many rejected the use of judge-alone trials to address major fraud offences
Criminal barristers in the UK are pushing back against recommendations made by former judge Sir Brian Leveson to reduce the Crown court backlog, reported the Law Society Gazette.
Leveson had recommended what was described as a “radical and essential package of measures” for the government to consider, according to the Gazette. One proposed measure is for more cases to be heard by one judge supported by two magistrates in the new Crown court bench division.
A snap survey commissioned by the UK Criminal Bar Association revealed that 75 percent of criminal barristers were against the use of judge-alone trials to address serious fraud offences. Nine in 10 respondents disagreed with the elimination of the right of appeal against a judge’s decision for the case to be heard in the bench division rather than by judge and jury; the same percentage opposed the passing of sexual offences cases to the bench division.
Eight in 10 respondents indicated that additional Crown court sitting days should be the main priority in addressing the justice system’s issues.
“'This may be an indication of the strength of feeling at the criminal bar and desire to have their voices heard and listened to as the government considers the Leveson proposals,” said professor Katrin Hohl, who conducted the survey, in a statement published by the Gazette.
Moreover, UK CBA chair Mary Prior and UK Bar Council chair Barbara Mills sought clarification on UK Crown Prosecution Service chief inspector Anthony Rogers’ comment in his 2024/25 annual report that the “vested interests of long-standing rights being espoused by some legal professionals” must be rejected to repair the criminal justice system, per the Gazette.
“'Given the national emergency this is the time for everyone to come to the table and think of radical solutions to fix the issues in our criminal justice system,” an HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate spokesperson said in a statement published by the Gazette.
The snap survey obtained 2,029 responses in a week’s time.
