TRIAL BY JURY

Motion Text

That this House, whilst welcoming efforts being made by the Home Secretary to make the criminal justice system more expeditious, efficient and cost-effective, is concerned that his proposal to end the right of defendants charged with either-way offences to choose to be tried by a jury will remove an important safeguard in the system and help undermine the liberty of the individual; believes that it could further damage any trust or confidence which minority communities have in the law; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government as a matter of urgency to reconsider this far-reaching proposal.