Overview
- Geoffrey Robertson KC, who once led Keir Starmer’s former chambers, published a 31-page paper Monday calling the proposal a betrayal of Labour values and a cure worse than the disease.
- The Courts and Tribunals Bill would move many either-way offences to a single judge if the likely sentence is three years or less, with magistrates able to handle cases likely to draw up to two years.
- The plan would apply to existing backlog cases and require written judgments in judge-only trials, which Robertson says would add extra hearings and drain judicial time rather than speed cases.
- Reports say up to 60 Labour MPs have threatened to vote against the measure, reflecting a growing revolt inside the party and pressure from senior legal figures.
- The Ministry of Justice defends the package, citing roughly 80,000 Crown Court cases waiting and arguing that only reform, investment and modernisation can reduce delays.