5 h. ago Starmer facing new rebellion as dozens of Labour MPs sign letter against scrapping jury trials

After the welfare rebellion before the summer, Sir Keir Starmer has a new challenge to his authority on court reform

Politics

7 h. ago Dozens of Labour MPs say they will rebel over David Lammy's plans to axe jury trials as they urge Starmer to 'think again'

The UK Justice Secretary announced plans to reserve jury trials only for when defendants faced serious charges such as rape and murder.

Politics

11 h. ago Keir Starmer faces huge threat of rebellion as dozens of MPs slam 'madness' jury plan

Keir Starmer is facing the threat of a rebellion from angry Labour MPs over plans to reduce the number of cases that go to jury trials - the MPs have sent him a warning letter

Events

23 h. ago Starmer faces threat of rebellion from Labour MPs over jury trial plans

Thirty-nine Labour MPs have put their name to an open letter which brands the proposals ‘an ineffective way of dealing with the crippling backlog’.

Events

7 d. ago Dozens of pubs ban Labour MPs as backlash grows over rising taxes

The ‘No Labour MPs’ campaign has spread nationwide as hospitality bosses protest soaring business rates

Politics

8 d. ago Starmer rules out EU customs union after Labour rebellion over government’s Brexit stance

Sir Keir Starmer faced a Labour rebellion on Tuesday after more than a dozen of his MPs backed a Lib Dem bill calling for the government to reopen talks with the EU

Politics

9 d. ago More than a dozen Labour MPs rebel against Starmer to back call for EU

Labour prime minister is pursuing a post-Brexit ‘reset’ with the bloc

Politics

1 week ago Scrapping of jury trials will do ‘next to nothing’ for rape victims – Jenrick

Jury trials will be reserved for offences such as murder and rape, and those with a likely sentence of more than three years in prison, under plans.

Events

1 week ago Not in my name: Victim who waited six years for sex abuser to be convicted urges Lammy to rethink 'cost

A woman who waited almost six years for her childhood sexual abuser to be convicted today urged the Government to stop using cases like hers to push through controversial plans to cut jury trials.

Events

1 week ago David Lammy faces new Labour backlash over 'undemocratic' plan to cut jury trials

The Justice Secretary was accused of weaking the system's ability to democratically serve the nation with a proposal to only have juries try the most serious of charges like murder and rape.

Politics

1 week ago ‘A move towards an authoritarian state’: what those with trial experience think of removing juries

David Lammy’s plans to cut the the number of jury trials in England and Wales. A defendant, a victim, a barrister, a KC, a judge and a juror have concernsThis week the justice secretary, David Lammy, announced sweeping changes to the criminal justice system that will significantly reduce the number of jury trials in England and Wales. Under the radical plans, jury trials will be reserved for cases in “indictable-only” offences such as murder or rape, and “either-way” offences (those where the defendant can currently decide whether they will be tried by a jury or magistrates), with a likely sentence of more than three years in prison.While Lammy backed down on plans to remove jury trials for all cases involving a maximum jail term of five years, the move has led to an outcry from MPs, lawyers and campaigners. The Guardian spoke to a range of people who have seen juries’ work close up about their experiences and the proposals. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago David Lammy is accused of trying to justify cutting back on jury trials by 'cynically' manipulating rape case figures

The justice secretary came under fire for claiming 60 per cent of rape victims are pulling out of cases before they go to trial because of court delays.

Events

1 week ago Barristers vow to 'bring courts to their knees' in strikes against David Lammy's plans to slash number of jury trials

Parts of the profession want to 'bring the courts to their knees' in order to 'destroy' Labour's reforms, legal insiders revealed.

Events

1 week ago 'There's no dispute that we've got an emergency, but this isn't the answer'

Senior Manchester barristers react as jury trials set to be scrapped for many crimes

Politics

1 week ago Now Trump ally blasts Lammy's justice reforms, warning lack of juries will see more jailed under 'absurd censorship laws'

An ally of the US President said that removing the right to a jury trial is 'misguided' and will see more people jailed for breaching the UK's 'absurd censorship laws'.

Events

2 w. ago Why Labour MPs are starting to crack under pressure from farmers over inheritance tax

Dozens of Labour MPs decided to abstain on a vote about inheritance tax changes that will affect farmers

Events

2 w. ago Labour MP warns of huge Commons revolt against scrapping jury trials as he brands David Lammy a 'liar' and 'stark raving barmy'

The Justice Secretary this week unveiled proposals to set up so-called 'swift courts' in England and Wales, where cases will be heard by a judge alone.

Events

2 w. ago 'Rural Reds' are plotting to oust 'arrogant' Rachel Reeves: Labour MPs rebel over farm tax

Dozens of Labour MPs abstained from a key Budget vote on the farm tax on Tuesday night, defying a three-line whip.

Politics

2 w. ago Rural Reds are plotting to oust 'arrogant' Rachel Reeves over farm tax

Dozens of Labour MPs abstained from a key Budget vote on the farm tax on Tuesday night, defying a three-line whip.

Politics

2 w. ago Fresh blow for Reeves as Labour hit with rebellion over tractor tax

Dozens of Labour MPs abstained from the vote, while one backbencher voted against controversial measures to impose inheritance tax on farmers

Events