Victims’ advocate emphasizes the importance of prioritizing victims’ voices amid the heated discourse between legal professionals and policymakers regarding potential cuts to jury trials. Claire Waxman, the newly appointed Victims’ Commissioner, has highlighted the necessity of challenging longstanding legal norms to address the current court backlog effectively.
As the government faces criticism for its proposal to decrease jury trials to alleviate the courts’ backlog, Waxman, a former victim of persistent stalking, emphasized the urgency for “radical changes” to prevent victims from being failed by the justice system.
In her article for The Mirror, Waxman acknowledged the contentious nature of the proposed reforms, including the consideration of judge-only trials. She stressed the need to confront the reality that the current court system is overwhelming and fails those it is intended to serve, citing examples of rape survivors waiting years for justice.
Describing the existing situation as unsustainable, Waxman cautioned that without immediate action, more victims would disengage from the legal process, allowing offenders to evade accountability. She urged for a decisive shift to address the crisis and ensure victims’ perspectives are not overshadowed by debates on legal traditions.
In a move following a comprehensive review by retired senior judge Sir Brian Leveson, the government is considering the implementation of judge-only trials as part of its strategy to streamline court proceedings. However, this proposal has encountered opposition, with Labour MPs expressing strong dissent and the Conservatives calling for its rejection during a recent parliamentary session.
Justice Minister Sarah Sackman defended the reforms, emphasizing the necessity of addressing inefficiencies in the current system. She noted the prolonged duration of jury trials compared to previous years, which has contributed to delays in delivering justice to victims.
Despite criticisms from legal professionals such as Riel Karmy-Jones KC, who argued against disrupting the established jury system, the government remains committed to exploring alternative trial approaches to tackle the backlog effectively. The ongoing debate reflects the complex balance between preserving legal traditions and ensuring timely access to justice for all individuals involved in the legal process.