The criminal court of first instance in England and Wales
The government has scrapped plans to expand judge-alone trials for crimes with sentences under three years, while maintaining some sentencing powers for magistrates. The move comes amid a mounting backlog in Crown Court cases and broad concerns from lawyers about losing jury rights. Victims and defendants have waited years for justice as reforms faced fierce criticism.
Two cases of police misconduct and grooming by church figures have led to prison sentences or suspensions. A former Cambridgeshire officer has been jailed for misconduct in public office and encouraging a toxic WhatsApp culture, while a ex-church leader was convicted of sexual offences against vulnerable youths, with sentencing set to follow.
The government has announced specialist courtrooms for rape and serious sexual offences will be rolled out to every crown court within two years, with private entrances and trauma-informed training for staff. Trials will be fixed to dates, and funding is set to support victims through the national rape and sexual abuse support fund.