Cutting jury trials risks ‘undermining justice’ for abused women and girls, Lammy warned

In letter to justice secretary, groups say judge-led decisions more likely to be influenced by bias than those made by 12 random people

Thirty organisations representing victims of violence against women and girls (VAWG) have written to the justice secretary, David Lammy, urging him to drop plans to significantly reduce the number of jury trials.

The groups said that the proposals, which will affect court cases in England and Wales, will deepen mistrust in the justice system among victims and distract from measures designed to reduce offending.