The Chair of the Bar Council has welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham's indication that he may scrap controversial plans to reduce access to jury trials.
Speaking at an event at a leisure centre in Sheffield on Friday, the new Prime Minister said he wants to “look in detail” at the proposals - but that his instincts are “not to reduce access to jury trial”.
He said he has drawn on his own personal experience, particularly relating to the Hillsborough disaster, and indicated that he is “probably looking for changes” on the plan he inherited from former PM Sir Keir Starmer.
Kirsty Brimelow KC, Chair of the Bar Council, said: "Relying on a bit of my own Northern bluntness, it is encouraging if common sense is prevailing. One of my first actions was to write to the Prime Minister urging him to back away from the jury reduction course of the previous administration.
"Examination of the evidence shows that reducing jury trials is not required to reduce the backlog of cases and, in fact, could be counter-productive.
"The Prime Minister’s recent comments give me hope that he is listening. Disappointingly, a letter to the previous Prime Minister, signed by 3,200 barristers and retired judges, went unanswered.
"Trial by jury is one of the defining features of our justice system and a constitutional safeguard that has stood the test of centuries. It embodies the principle that justice is not administered by the state alone but with the participation of 12 citizens. They bring independence, collective wisdom and a diversity of experience to their deliberations, helping to ensure that verdicts command public confidence.
"The Bar Council stands ready to work constructively with the Prime Minister and his government to reduce the waiting for those in the criminal justice system.
"Crucially, the passage of time is showing that our proposals, including opening empty courts and targeted listing by judges, are reducing the backlog of cases.
"The indications from the new Prime Minister give me optimism that our voices will be listened to."
The Bar Council of England and Wales - which represents more than 18,000 barristers - launched its ‘Justice needs juries’ campaign in response to the previous government’s plans to curtail jury trials through the Courts and Tribunals Bill.
As part of the campaign, working with the Criminal Bar Association and circuit leaders, the Bar Council has submitted written and oral evidence to the Public Bill Committee, drafted and tabled 28 amendments to the Bill, and have been mentioned at least 73 times during parliamentary debates on the topic.
In March 2026 the Bar Council coordinated an open letter calling on Sir Keir Starmer to stop planned restrictions to jury trials. The letter was signed by more than 3,200 lawyers including more than 300 KCs, 22 retired judges, a former Director of Public Prosecutions, and current and former politicians.