Why Jury Trials Matter More Than Ever
Jury trials have long been a cornerstone of the English legal system. They offer not only fairness for the accused but reassurance for complainants too. The presence of 12 independent members of the public brings lived experience, common sense, and human judgement to complex or sensitive cases—qualities that cannot always be replicated by legal professionals alone.
For centuries, the right to be tried by a jury has distinguished the English legal system as one of the most transparent and balanced in the world. Any proposal to remove this right is understandably alarming for those involved in emotionally charged or nuanced cases.
What is David Lammy Proposing?
On the 2nd December 2025, the Justice Secretary, David Lammy, announced plans to abolish jury trials in England and Wales for offences that carry a sentence of less than three years. Instead, these cases will be decided by a single judge by through a system described as ‘swift courts.’
The governments stated aim is to reduce the current backlog and streamline the criminal justice system. However, many critics argue that this proposal removes a fundamental safeguard dating back to the Magna Carta: the right to be tried by one’s peers.
The Criminal Bar Association (CBA), representing specialist criminal barristers across England and Wales, have warned that ‘the erosion of the right to jury trial will break the increasingly thin connection between the State and ordinary people…undermining social cohesion and trust in the criminal justice system.’
At Eventum Legal, we recognise that our clients are already face an unprecedented amount of anxiety when navigating criminal proceedings. Removing jury trials adds another layer of uncertainty, making the system even more daunting for those falsely accused.
How Does This Affect You When Facing Allegations of Domestic Violence?
The reform as it stands will largely impact defendants accused of offence such as:
· Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
· Controlling or coercive behaviour
· Stalking involving fear of violence or serious alarm or distress.
The offences are often triable either way, meaning that under current law, a defendant has right to choose a Crown Court jury over a Magistrates Court trial.
Juries offer a diverse perspective and wider understanding of human behaviour, relationship dynamics and the context surrounding specific cases. This benefits those accused of domestic violence offences where emotions are often heightened and cases are inherently more complex.
Under the proposed changes, defendants would lose the right to a jury provided the maximum sentence is three years or less. Removing this option forces defendants to be tried by a single judge eliminating a key safeguard designed to reduce the risk of bias.
While judges are highly trained in the legal field, the judiciary is generally less socially diverse than the population at large. This increases the risk that a single judge may inadvertently interpret evidence or behaviour through unconscious biases, potentially affecting defendants from minority communities. The jury system exists, in part, to mitigate these issues.
Being accused of a domestic violence offence can be overwhelming and have long-term consequences on your personal and professional life. Jury trials offered an additional layer of reassurance as twelve independent members of the public where able to weigh evidence presented by both the prosecution and defence. Loosing this option may intensify anxiety, fear and feelings of vulnerability which make an already challenging situation even more difficult.
How Eventum Legal Can Help?
Obtaining specialist legal advice and representation at the earliest opportunity can make a crucial difference to the outcome of your case. At Eventum Legal, we are specialist defence lawyers with a combined team experience of over 25 years’ worth of in domestic violence and sexual offence cases. We have a deep understating of the legal, emotional, and reputational challenges that these cases may present.
Our team builds and advances robust representations, ensuring that every detail, context, and nuance is accounted for. We are committed to upholding fairness and protections to your presumption of innocence, and we are not afraid to challenge procedural errors that could compromise your defence.
If you have been accused of a domestic violence offence, do not face this alone. Speak to a member of our legal team today by calling 0161 706 0602 or request a call back through our online enquiry form.
Our job is to make sure your voice is not only heard but understood.