Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gareth Bacon and James Wild

Thursday 5th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Gareth Bacon (Orpington) (Con)]

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

[James Wild (North West Norfolk) (Con)]

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

[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.