Barristers Come Out Against No-Jury Fraud Trials

The removal of the ancient right to trial by jury in serious fraud cases was opposed by senior barristers addressing a Parliamentary meeting today.

The Fraud (Trials without a Jury) Bill reaches its 2nd reading stage in the House of Lords on Tuesday 20th March. The Bill would allow trial without jury in complex and/or lengthy fraud cases, if the prosecution made an application to the court.  The Lord Chief Justice, or a judge nominated by him, would then be required to give permission for the removal of a jury.