Oral Answers to Questions

Caroline Johnson Excerpts

Thursday 9th July 2026 Commons Chamber

The Solicitor General was asked—

[Dr Caroline Johnson (Sleaford and North Hykeham) (Con)]

1. What advice she has given the Government on the potential impact of removing jury trials in certain circumstances on the rule of law.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Solicitor General (Ellie Reeves)]

Jury trials remain a cornerstone of our justice system, and will always be in place for the most serious crimes. The Government must guarantee everyone a fair trial. Timeliness is essential for fairness, and the fairness of the system is being undermined by the record backlogs in the Crown court, which we inherited from the previous Conservative Government.

[Dr Johnson]

In restricting access to jury trials, the Government have leant quite heavily on the Leveson report, but the Government go much further than the report recommends. Will the Solicitor General explain why?

[The Solicitor General]

Leveson in his report stated that investment alone was not enough and that the system needs reforming as well. We have made a record £2.7 billion investment in the courts, which provides for unlimited sitting days, an increase in defence fees, and includes half a billion pounds for victims services. That is fixing the mess that we inherited.