Oral QuestionAttorney General's Office

What advice she has given the Government on the potential impact of removing jury trials on the rule of law.

Tabled: 29 January 2026Answered: 5 February 2026

Asked by

James Wild

ConservativeNorth West Norfolk

Answering Minister

the Solicitor General

Answer from Hansard

The Solicitor General

In December, the Deputy Prime Minister set out the measures that this Government are taking to tackle the crisis in our courts. As I have stated in the House previously, jury trials will remain the cornerstone of our justice system, but reform and investment are needed to cut through the backlog, which is approaching 80,000 cases. Some 90% of criminal prosecutions are already dealt with by magistrates rather than juries, and juries will remain for the most serious cases.