Oral QuestionMinistry of Justice

“What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposal to restrict the right to a jury trial for certain offences on the rule of law.”

Tabled: 10 December 2025Answered: 16 December 2025

Asked by

Sir Ashley Fox

Conservative — Bridgwater

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Justice

Answer from Hansard

The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Mr David Lammy)

Everyone has a right to a fair trial, and the essence of a fair trial is a timely trial. Only 3% of all criminal cases are heard by a judge and jury under the current regime. Jury trials will remain a cornerstone of the British justice system. Delayed justice is justice denied.