Scrapping jury trials for fraud and financial cases brings ‘serious concerns’
Government plans to push ahead with jury-free trials for certain fraud and financial proceedings raise “serious concerns”, according to the Institute for Government (IFG) and lawyers across the City. The proposal, introduced by former justice secretary David Lammy officially last December, following a recommendation in a review of the court system in England and Wales [...]
The government's plan to introduce judge-only trials for certain fraud and financial cases has sparked "serious concerns," according to the Institute for Government (IFG) and legal professionals in the City. Former justice secretary David Lammy introduced the proposal in December following a review of the court system. However, the government has now announced that only "technical and lengthy fraud and financial offences" will be tried in front of a judge without a jury.
Cassia Rowland, a senior researcher at the IFG, stated that the government's decision goes against recommendations in an independent report by Jonathan Fisher KC, who argued that fraud is about dishonesty and should be judged by citizens. Lawyers and legal professionals have voiced their concerns, warning that the government's decision could introduce more complexity and delays, and that defendants facing serious financial allegations deserve the right to a jury trial.
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