Threat to jury trial will put 'fair justice system at risk'

Solicitors and barristers last week condemned government plans to reintroduce legislation removing the automatic right to a jury trial for middle-ranking offences.The announcement in last week's Queen's Speech came despite two earlier Bills being defeated in the House of Lords.

If the Mode of Trial Bill (3) repeats earlier versions, magistrates will be prohibited from taking into account previous offences, the circumstances of the case or the defendant's situation when coming to their decision on venue.

Defendants will have a right of appeal, however.Law Society President Michael Napier said the Bill would destroy the 'cornerstone of a fair justice system' and could risk and increase miscarriages of justice.

Bar Council chairman Jonathan Hirst said: 'This issue has been debated at length in both Houses of Parliament and on every occasion the government's argument has not stood up to scrutiny.' Sue Allen