Reverse the decision to scrap trial-by-jury in a significant percentage of cases
A civil liberty that has existed for over 800 years is being removed in a significant percentage of criminal cases - potentially most cases. This is a dangerous decision that must be allowed to go ahead.
Signatures
8
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 8/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 8/100,000
- 09 JAN 2026Petition rejectedduplicate
You may wish to sign the following petition, which calls for similar action: Do not remove trial by jury for certain cases https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/751480
- 02 DEC 2025Petition created
Background
Clause 39 of the Magna Carta was written in 1215. It states -
“No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his freehold, liberties… Except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land.”
Removing this right for cases where the penalty is likely to be under 3 years is a significant change to our judicial system. We did not vote for this.
Not only is this a stepping stone towards tyranny, it potentially contravenes Article 6 of the Human Rights Act.