Jury trials are so fundamental any change should require a referendum
The government should either drop any plans to limit trials by jury or should announce a referendum on the issue, allowing sufficient time beforehand for both sides to make their case to the public
Signatures
8
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 8/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 8/100,000
- 19 JAN 2026Petition rejectedduplicate
You may wish to sign the following petition, which calls for similar action: Hold a referendum on planned changes to trial by jury https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/752114
- 09 DEC 2025Petition created
Background
The right to jury trial is rooted in Magna Carta of 1215; “No Freeman shall be .. imprisoned .. but by lawful judgment of his Peers“. Described as “the greatest constitutional document of all times” jury trial rights globally stem from it.
‘Experts’ are wrong so often that justice is better served by individuals with common sense.
Justice is often neither ‘quick’ nor ‘cheap’, but this is no justification to alter an 800 year old fundamental right without public consent. Let the people decide.