Criminal Court Reform

Gagan Mohindra Excerpts

Tuesday 2nd December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Lammy]

I recognise the sincerity of my hon. Friend’s remarks, but I have really reflected on what Sir Brian has said. There is no silver bullet in this area—I am not suggesting that the changes we are making to the threshold for a jury trial will fix this entire problem. It will take more investment, and we are making that investment. It will take modernisation, particularly in relation to transcripts and audio, but it will also take reform. We have reformed the criminal justice system in the past; we can do so again in a way that is fair and right for everybody.

[Mr Gagan Mohindra (South West Hertfordshire) (Con)]

In the event that a volunteer magistrate makes a mistake and jails someone for two years, that person’s automatic right to a rehearing will have been removed. Can the Justice Secretary confirm whether he believes this is efficiency, or just easier wrongful imprisonment?

[Mr Lammy]

Of course that person would get permission to appeal if the circumstances were legally correct.