MP abstains on bill to reform justice system
Government seeking to abolish juries in trials where sentences could be up to three years
Friday, 20th March — By Finn Logue
Dame Emily has proposed a ‘sunset clause’ on jury trials
DAME Emily Thornberry, MP for Islington South and Finsbury, said she “cannot support” the government’s jury restriction bill, after being one of 88 Labour MPs who abstained this week.
The Courts and Tribunals Bill cleared its second reading with a majority of 102 on March 10, despite fears of a backbench rebellion.
David Lammy, the justice secretary, said that the bill will help to reduce the Crown courts’ backlog of more than 80,000 cases, easing anxieties and delays for victims.
The bill proposes to abolish juries in trials where sentences could be up to three years. Verdicts would instead be decided by a single sitting judge. More serious cases, like murder or rape, would keep the standard 12-person jury.
Campaign groups have raised concerns that the changes would mean more cases were determined by subconscious racial bias and would reduce public trust in the judicial system.
Dame Emily said: “I spent 20 years as a criminal barrister, presenting cases to juries every day, so my support for juries is absolute. They are a vital defence to our liberty.
“The justice system is in crisis with people sometimes waiting four years for their trial. Radical action is needed to save it.
“But if we are going to say to people we need to take this emergency action, and we are confident that this painful action will work, then it must be temporary.
“As I made clear to the prime minister, the courts minister, the justice secretary, the attorney general and the chief whip, I cannot support these measures without a sunset clause.”
Ten Labour MPs went one step further than Dame Emily and rebelled by voting against last week’s bill.
In December 39 Labour MPs signed an open letter to the government warning that they may rebel against the government proposals.
A coalition of women’s rights groups, representing victims of violence against women and girls, have urged the justice secretary to drop the plans, arguing they will decrease trust in the legal system among sexual victims.
Thousands of lawyers and legal professionals added their voice to growing descent by writing to Mr Lammy, arguing that the bill erodes “constitutional” democracy.
The bill will now be scrutinised by parliamentary committees and will return to the commons for its third reading in the coming months.
