criminal justice system – World Justice News

Court system on ‘brink of collapse’, former senior judge warns

February 4, 2026 World Justice News 0

The court system is “on the brink of collapse” as the backlogs for trials reach unprecedented levels, the head of a major review has said. Sir Brian Leveson, a retired senior judge, warned ministers, the […]

Jury trials could be scrapped in England and Wales except in the most serious cases

November 25, 2025 World Justice News 0

Justice Secretary David Lammy is proposing to massively restrict the ancient right to a jury trial by only guaranteeing it for defendants facing rape, murder, manslaughter or other cases passing a public interest test. An […]

Jury-free trials recommended to save courts from ‘collapse’

July 9, 2025 World Justice News 0

Thousands of cases that would normally be heard in front of a jury should be decided by judges alone, according to recommendations made by a former senior judge. Sir Brian Leveson was asked by the […]

Prisoners could be released up to two months early to ease overcrowding

March 12, 2024 World Justice News 0

Some prisoners could be released up to two months early to relieve overcrowding in jails in England and Wales, the justice secretary has said. Alex Chalk said the policy would only apply to “certain low-level […]

Magistrates to get more powers to jail criminals for longer

January 18, 2022 World Justice News 0

Magistrates in England and Wales will be able to jail criminals for twice as long as they currently can, under plans to clear court backlogs. The government is planning to allow magistrates to hand out […]

England and Wales Courts backlog threatens to overwhelm the justice system

October 30, 2020 World Justice News 0

The number of criminal cases waiting to be dealt with by Crown Courts threatens to overwhelm the justice system in England and Wales, a study suggests. A backlog in the courts hearing the most serious […]

Teenagers convicted of terrorism could be jailed for life

September 13, 2020 World Justice News 0

Teenagers convicted of terrorism in England and Wales could receive whole-life terms under sentencing reforms described by the government as the most radical in almost 20 years. Currently, a life tariff can only be given […]

Kenya judge accused of coaching murder suspect

February 23, 2020 World Justice News 0

A Kenyan judge has been arrested and accused of coaching the main suspect in a murder trial – a widow whose husband was found in a septic tank. Appeal Court Judge Sankale ole Kantai did […]

Jailed Pennsylvania cancer patient sparks debate over justice

February 3, 2020 World Justice News 0

The case of a Pennsylvania cancer patient sentenced to up to seven years in prison for shoplifting has sparked a debate over the justice system. Ashley Menser, 36, who has ovarian and cervical cancer, was […]

Streatham attack: Emergency terror law to end early prisoner release

February 3, 2020 World Justice News 0

Emergency legislation will be introduced to end the automatic early release from prison of terror offenders, the government has said. Justice Secretary Robert Buckland told MPs the change would apply to both current and future […]

Human Rights

Nigerian court orders UK to pay £420m over 1949 killing of miners

February 8, 2026 0

A Nigerian court has ordered the British government to pay $27m (£20m) to each of the families of 21 coal miners killed in 1949 by the colonial administration in the south-east of the country. The […]

Human Rights

Rape trial puts Norway’s royal family in unwelcome glare of public

February 1, 2026 0

When Marius Borg Høiby stands up in room 250 at Oslo district court on Tuesday, at the start of Norway’s biggest trial in years, he will have no moral support from his closest relatives. His […]

Human Rights

France moves to abolish concept of marital duty to have sex

February 1, 2026 0

France is to enshrine in law the end of so-called “conjugal rights” – the notion that marriage means a duty to have sex. A bill approved on Wednesday in the National Assembly adds a clause […]