Briefs, Belief and the Bar

Briefs, Belief and the Bar: a blog about law, faith and the long road to the Bar — written between deadlines, toy cars, family life and late-night study

Limiting Jury Trials in England and Wales: Speeding Up Justice or Eroding a Fundamental Right?

23 February 2026
The UK government is proposing one of the most significant reforms to the criminal justice system in decades: limiting jury trials for many less serious offences and replacing them with judge-only hearings in new “swift courts.” The plan would see cases likely to attract sentences of less than three years heard without juries, a move the government says is needed to tackle the acute backlog in the Crown Court and long‑standing delays in delivering justice. However, critics warn that, while framed as a simple efficiency measure, the reform risks eroding a cornerstone of English legal tradition and may do little to address the deeper causes of systemic delay.

Context: The Court Backlog Crisis

The criminal justice system in England and Wales is under unprecedented pressure. Recent reports indicate that the Crown Court backlog now exceeds 78,000 cases, with some trials listed as far ahead as 2030. This has been attributed to years of underfunding, reduced court capacity, pandemic-related disruptions, and inefficiencies in case management. Justice Secretary David Lammy has warned that, without reform, the backlog could reach 100,000 cases by the end of the decade.¹

Against this backdrop, the government has revived proposals to significantly limit the use of juries for intermediate-level offences, aiming to accelerate verdicts and relieve pressure on the system.

The Proposal: “Swift Courts” and Judge-Only Trials

Under the government’s current proposals:
- A new tier of “swift courts” would hear cases likely to attract sentences of three years or less, with a single judge replacing the defendant’s current right to opt for a jury trial.²
- Jury trials would be reserved for only the most serious indictable offences, such as murder, rape, aggravated burglary, grievous bodily harm and other major crimes.³
- Magistrates’ courts would gain expanded sentencing powers for less serious cases, allowing them to deal with a greater share of offending and ease pressure on the Crown Court.⁴
The government presents these reforms as essential to reducing delays and restoring public confidence in a justice system burdened by heavy caseloads. Justice officials maintain that judge-only trials will be quicker than jury trials and will limit opportunities for defendants to “game the system” by strategically seeking Crown Court jury hearings.

Historical and Legal Significance of Jury Trials

Trial by jury is deeply embedded in the legal traditions of England and Wales. Its origins are often traced to Magna Carta (1215), which sought to ensure that no person could be deprived of liberty without the lawful judgment of their peers. Legal commentators and jurists have repeatedly stressed both the symbolic and substantive importance of jury trials; Lord Devlin famously described trial by jury as “the lamp that shows that freedom lives.”⁵

Juries are not merely procedural devices. They secure lay participation in the criminal process and operate as a democratic check on the state’s power to punish. Critics of the proposal contend that removing jury trials for a broad range of offences would risk undermining public confidence in the criminal justice system and weakening a mode of community involvement that helps sustain the legitimacy of verdicts.⁶

Arguments in Support of Limiting Jury Trials

Supporters of the reform emphasize several key points:
- Efficiency and Speed: The proposed “swift courts” are expected to resolve cases faster than traditional jury trials—reportedly by about 20%—because they remove the need for jury selection, instructions, and deliberation.⁷
- Backlog Reduction: By diverting less serious cases away from full jury trials, advocates contend that the Crown Court can direct its limited resources toward complex and serious matters that genuinely require a jury, helping to relieve pressure on existing backlogs.⁸
- International Comparisons: Proponents also reference other common law jurisdictions where non-jury trials are more prevalent, arguing that juryless systems can still yield fair outcomes when robust procedural safeguards are in place.
- Judicial Transparency: Judges are trained to provide written reasons for their decisions, unlike juries, whose verdicts generally lack formal explanations. This, some scholars argue, can make judge-led decisions more transparent and analytically rigorous.⁹
Criticisms and Concerns

Notwithstanding the government’s rationale, the proposals have drawn sustained criticism from legal professionals, opposition politicians, and civil liberties advocates:
- Undermining a Fundamental Right: Organisations such as the Law Society warn that the reforms risk eroding the fundamental right to be judged by a jury of one’s peers, a safeguard long seen as central to fairness in the criminal justice system.¹⁰
- Public Confidence: Critics argue that reducing jury involvement could undermine public trust, particularly for defendants who view lay participation as reassurance of impartiality and the reflection of community standards.¹¹
- Backlog Misdiagnosed: Many legal commentators contend that the backlog is driven primarily by deeper systemic issues — including chronic underfunding, outdated infrastructure, staffing shortages, and procedural inefficiencies — rather than by the presence of juries. Without addressing these root causes, limiting jury trials may deliver only marginal gains.¹²
- Risk of Judicial Bias: Relying more heavily on judges, as legal professionals, could intensify concerns about unconscious bias in decision-making and reduce the diversity of perspectives that juries provide.¹³
Balancing Efficiency and Fairness

The debate highlights a longstanding tension in criminal justice: how to balance efficiency and fairness. Prolonged delays can impose serious emotional and practical costs on victims, defendants, and their families. Yet accelerating proceedings must not come at the expense of procedural safeguards that protect liberty and sustain public confidence.

Although jury trials are not the primary source of the backlog—they represent only a small fraction of criminal cases—their symbolic and participatory value is significant. Empirical research suggests that juries help align legal outcomes with community standards and strengthen perceptions of legitimacy. Reform efforts must therefore measure the practical gains of speed against the normative importance of lay participation in criminal adjudication.

Conclusion

The UK government’s proposals to significantly restrict jury trials for less serious offences and introduce judge-only “swift courts” reflect a genuine concern about an overburdened criminal justice system. Yet, although these reforms promise greater efficiency, they have provoked controversy precisely because they touch on a fundamental aspect of English legal identity.

Whether these reforms will reduce backlogs without undermining fairness and public confidence remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the debate has reopened critical questions about the purpose of jury trials, the role of the courts, and the values embedded in the administration of justice in England and Wales.
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025: A Law Student’s Perspective

26 November 2025
Learning housing law as the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 unfolds is like studying anatomy in the middle of surgery. You work through cases, master doctrines, and memorise statutes—only for Parliament to rewrite the rules just as you’re grasping them.

Photo by Jakub Zerdzicki on Pexels.com

As a second-year LLB student aiming for the Bar, I’ve been watching this Act with particular interest. I haven’t settled on a practice area, but housing law stands out because it impacts real people—families, single parents, young professionals, and older renters—whose day-to-day security relies on rules most have never encountered. The key legal principles we study—fairness, reasonableness, access to justice—are woven into the fabric of housing law.

This Act is more than just another law to memorise—it fundamentally reshapes how renting operates in England. It’s a powerful reminder of my motivation for studying law: real change often happens quietly, in everyday moments and private spaces, long before any courtroom debate.

Here’s how I understand the Act as a law student.

The end of ASTs and Section 21 — a seismic doctrinal shift

For decades, the private rented sector has depended on assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs), introduced by the Housing Act 1988. I’ve spent countless hours studying their development and how Section 21 enabled landlords to evict tenants without providing a reason.

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 dismantles that structure:
- ASTs are abolished entirely.
- All new tenancies become periodic assured tenancies by default.
- Section 21 “no-fault” evictions are removed.¹
As a student of both housing and constitutional law, I find this development fascinating. Parliament is undoing one of the most significant possession powers landlords have ever held. The legal landscape is moving from landlord flexibility to tenant security—a doctrinal shift you typically encounter only in textbooks, but this time, it’s unfolding in reality.

Rent increases, rent in advance, and contract fairness

In law school we are constantly encouraged to ask:
“Is this rule fair? And fair to whom?”

The Act’s reforms around rent and payments directly engage that question:
- Rent increases limited to once per year and subject to tribunal challenge.
- Rent in advance capped at one month for new tenancies.
- Rent bidding prohibited — landlords cannot encourage tenants to outbid each other. ² ³
These reforms lean toward consumer protection principles. Contract law, housing law and public policy all intersect here — a perfect example of how law balances economic reality against fairness.

Photo by Aurelijus U. on Pexels.com

Pets, discrimination, and dignity in renting

Housing is personal. It’s about dignity, stability, family and daily life. The Act reflects this:
- Tenants gain a right to request a pet, which landlords can only refuse on reasonable grounds.
- Discrimination against children or benefit-claimants (“No DSS”) is prohibited.⁴
These provisions go beyond technicalities—they are grounded in values. Entering the legal profession later in life, I’m reminded that law is, at its core, about people rather than paperwork.

Enforcement: database + ombudsman = access to justice in action

Public law talks endlessly about “access to justice.” This Act gives that principle real substance:
- A national landlord and property database improves transparency and enforcement.
- A Private Rented Sector Ombudsman gives tenants a way to seek redress without immediately entering the court system.⁵
For renters unfamiliar with the court system, these changes are significant. As a future advocate, I recognise how these reforms will transform the practical realities—not just the legal framework.

Photo by Mizuno K on Pexels.com

The Government’s timeline — what happens when

The Government recognises that this is a major reform and has set out a phased implementation plan.

Phase 1 — 1 May 2026

This is the big moment. The core reforms take effect:
- End of fixed-term ASTs
- Mandatory periodic tenancies
- Abolition of Section 21
- Updated grounds for possession begin to operate⁶ ⁷
Phase 2 — late 2026
- National landlord/property database goes live
- Landlords required to join the PRS Ombudsman
- Strengthened rent repayment order regime⁸
Phase 3 — 2027 and beyond
- Decent Homes Standard for private renting
- Further compliance and enforcement measures
- Energy efficiency requirements (subject to final regulations)⁹
As a law student, I’m most interested in seeing how these reforms play out in real life:
How will the courts interpret the new grounds?
Will tribunals approach rent disputes fairly and consistently?
Will the database prove effective for enforcement?
Will tenants truly grasp their new rights?

Experiencing a major legislative reform as it unfolds—rather than just learning about it from textbooks—has been an invaluable education.

Final Thoughts

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 isn’t just a small revision—it represents a fundamental rebalancing of landlord-tenant law in England.

As a 41-year-old law student managing work, studies, and family, this Act reinforces my motivation for pursuing the Bar. Law has the capacity to safeguard the vulnerable, restore balance in relationships, and reintroduce fairness where it has faded.

Someday, I hope to argue possession cases, tribunal appeals, or discrimination claims based on these very provisions I’m learning now.

For the moment, I’m studying law at my kitchen table after my son’s bedtime—and witnessing it transform in real time.

— Manuel

Footnotes
1. Dentons – Overview of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025
  https://www.dentons.com/en/insights/articles/2025/october/28/the-renters-rights-act-2025 ↩︎
2. Pinsent Masons – Guide for Private Landlords
  https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/guides/renters-rights-act-2025-guide-private-landlords-england ↩︎
3. The Independent Landlord – Renters’ Rights Act: 12 Key Provisions
  https://theindependentlandlord.com/rrb-overview/ ↩︎
4. LettingaProperty – Renters’ Rights Act 2025 Explained
  https://www.lettingaproperty.com/landlord/blog/renters-rights-act-2025/ ↩︎
5. Mortgage Solutions – Government Implementation Timeline
  https://www.mortgagesolutions.co.uk/news/2025/11/14/govt-unveils-implementation-timeline-for-renters-rights-act/ ↩︎
6. Propertymark – 1 May Implementation Date
  https://www.propertymark.co.uk/resource/1-may-is-the-date-for-tenancy-reforms-under-the-renters-rights-act.html ↩︎
7. Government Implementation Roadmap (PDF)
  https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6915beb8bc34c86ce4e6e730/Implementing_Renters_Rights_Act_2025_-_roadmap.pdf ↩︎
8. MHCLG – PRS Ombudsman & Database Guidance
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/private-rented-sector-ombudsman-guidance ↩︎
9. Property Industry Eye – Government Roadmap Article
  https://propertyindustryeye.com/government-reveals-roadmap-for-renters-rights-act-implementation/ ↩︎
Law, Work, Family: The Three-Way Balancing Act

6 November 2025
2–3 minutes

Since beginning my law degree, I’ve realised that juggling studying full-time, working, and supporting my family is more than just managing time — it’s a heartfelt daily commitment full of discipline, sacrifice, and purpose.

Full-time job. Full-time law degree. Full-time husband and dad. One goal: reach the Bar without losing the things that matter most.

I’m in my second year of the LLB, working a full week in a demanding role, and I’m also a husband and a father. My study hours don’t follow the usual pattern; I’m not spending hours in a library from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lecture notes and highlighters. My revision often begins when most people are winding down — after dealing with work emails, preparing dinner, and reading bedtime stories.

Some days I feel fully in control. On other days, I feel like I’m spinning plates and praying they don’t drop. But even on the difficult days, the goal remains the same:

🎯 Complete the LLB

🎯 Complete the BTC

🎯 Be called to the Bar

🎯 Secure and complete pupillage

At the heart of my academic ambitions is something even more meaningful: a sense of calling, stewardship, and legacy. I want my son to see me not just talking about discipline, purpose, and perseverance, but living them every day.

While there is a cost involved — social life becomes smaller, free time is more precious, and sleep can sometimes be a negotiation — it’s important to remember that this cost isn’t greater than the calling. If I aim to build a future as a barrister, I need to start developing the habits that will belong to that future today.

Over the next few posts, I’ll share:
- How I structure my week between work, law school and family
- What “realistic study discipline” looks like when life is full
- How I protect time for my wife and son
- Why faith is the only reason this balancing act is possible
- How I stay focused on the end goal when the days feel long
If you’re also studying later in life, retraining for the Bar, juggling work and family — you’re not behind, you’re not disqualified, and you’re not alone. You’re building something with weight, with purpose, and with testimony.

Here’s to the long nights, the early mornings — and the finish line that is worth it.

— Manuel
Pupillage Interview Advice by LouisAndTheLaw

4 November 2025

Pupillage Interview Advice
Why Law. Why Faith. Why the Bar

3 November 2025
2–3 minutes

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” — Micah 6:8

“The core of the rule of law is that all persons and authorities within the state, whether public or private, should be bound by and entitled to the benefit of laws publicly made.” — Lord Bingham, The Rule of Law (2010)

Photo by Joaquin Carfagna on Pexels.com

I have spent most of my adult life in a world very different from law — over 14 years in global shipping and logistics, overseeing operations, compliance, contracts, and facing real-world pressure that never fits neatly into a textbook. It was a career that shaped me: it sharpened my problem-solving skills, taught me to lead people, and required integrity in situations where it would have been easier to compromise.

But even as I was developing that career, something else was quietly growing alongside it — a persistent pull towards advocacy, justice, and the work of the Bar. I’ve always been attracted to the discipline of argument, the precision of language, and the importance of standing up for someone who needs a voice. For years, that calling remained beside me rather than in front of me — until now.

At 41, I’m pursuing that long-held aspiration by retraining for a career at the Bar. I’m approaching it not as a school-leaver or a university graduate with an empty CV, but as a husband, a father, a Christian, and someone who understands what it means to build a life, support a family, and start afresh with purpose.

Studying law at this stage of life looks different: my case notes sit alongside toy cars, my revision sessions sometimes start after bedtime stories, and my calling is no longer just about what I will do — but who I am becoming. My faith has played a significant role in this journey. It reminds me that justice isn’t just an academic concept — it’s a command. That advocacy isn’t merely a skill — it’s service. And that careers aren’t just built — they’re stewarded.

Over the coming weeks and months, this blog will explore:
- Studying law later in life and preparing for the Bar
- How faith informs my understanding of justice, argument, and ethics
- The realities of shifting from industry into legal training
- Balancing family, calling, ambition, and discipleship
- What I’m learning about pupillage, advocacy, and the legal profession
If you’re someone who’s also navigating a career shift, studying law, working toward the Bar, or trying to follow Christ in a professional world, you’re in the right place. I hope this space encourages you, challenges you, or simply reminds you that your journey doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s to be legitimate.

This is just the beginning — but it’s the right beginning.

Until next time,

Manuel