Rejected petition Do not scrap jury trials in England and Wales for most criminal cases

The government should cease any plans to introduce legislation that will remove the right to trial by jury in England and Wales for non-serious criminal cases in response the judicial backlog. The aim is valid, but should be met by other solutions.

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Trial by jury is a constitutional right. It can trace roots back to Henry II and was featured in the Magna Carta. It has functioned effectively for eight centuries.

The jury trial is fundamental to our constitution in creating a buffer between the state and individual.

Plans have been established by the Leveson Inquiry to scrap trial by jury for non-serious criminal offences in order to remove the backlog in the courts. This is prioritising efficiency over basic rights.

This petition was rejected

Why was this petition rejected?

There’s already a petition about this issue. We cannot accept a new petition when we already have one about a very similar issue.

You are more likely to get action on this issue if you sign and share a single petition.

You may wish to sign this petition, which calls for similar action: "Do not remove trial by jury for certain cases" https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/751480

We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.

Date submitted 30 November 2025
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