criminal justice system – World Justice News

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 […]

TV cameras to be allowed in Crown Courts in England and Wales

January 15, 2020 World Justice News 0

TV cameras are to be allowed to film in Crown Courts in England and Wales for the first time. New legislation being laid before Parliament will allow judges’ sentencing remarks in serious high-profile criminal cases […]

Human Rights

Japan’s same-sex marriage ban is constitutional, says Tokyo court

November 28, 2025 0

A Japanese court has ruled the country’s ban on same-sex marriage as constitutional – bucking a trend set by courts around the country that had raised hopes for marriage equality in Japan. The ruling was […]

Australia

Teenagers launch legal challenge over Australia’s ban on social media for children

November 26, 2025 0

Two teenagers have launched a legal challenge over Australia’s ban on social media for children younger than 16. The challenge comes two weeks before the law, a world first, is set to take effect. It is […]

Human Rights

Major changes to the UK’s asylum system announced

November 18, 2025 0

The home secretary has announced major changes to the UK’s asylum system. Modelled on the policies of Denmark, Shabana Mahmood hopes her proposals will make the country less attractive to illegal migrants and make it […]