MOJ proposes cutting the number of jurors needed to start a trial

The head of judiciary in England and Wales has given his backing to cutting the number of jurors in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. ‘It is going to be necessary to look at more radical measures to enable jury trials to continue,’ Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett. Cases were already backing up prior to the pandemic and by the end of 2019 the number of outstanding cases had reached 37,434. ‘Covid 19 has caused a level of disruption unprecedented in recent history commented the CBA chair Caroline Goodwin QC. There is a real risk that in the long term 70-80% of criminal legal aid firms will disappear, leaving vast areas of the country with no legal aid criminal defence solicitors available to represent people in either police stations or in court.