00:00MPs have backed plans that could limit the use of jury trials for some criminal cases
00:05in England and Wales. The government says the changes are needed to tackle a growing
00:10backlog in Crown courts, where tens of thousands of cases are waiting to be heard.
00:16Under the proposals, offences likely to receive sentences under three years could be heard by
00:22magistrates instead of juries. Justice Secretary David Lammy says the reforms would free up court
00:28time for the most serious cases. But critics argue jury trials are a cornerstone of the justice
00:34system and should not be weakened. Some Labour MPs voted against the bill, while others abstained.
00:40The legislation will face further scrutiny in Parliament.
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