Respect   Respect is an essential value.   In an adversarial system that is under considerable pressure, it will be respect and courtesy that bind us together, particularly in this critical time.

“It is not the jury’s fault that the system is in such a mess.” “Why Juries Matter” Francis FitzGibbon KC examines the evidence in @LondonReview for the recommendations in Sir Brian Leveson’s Government-commissioned Independent Review of the Criminal Courts. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...

Francis FitzGibbon · Short Cuts: Why Juries Matter

In this country, trial by jury is constitutive of a fair, credible, legitimate system of criminal justice. It is what...

lrb.co.uk

“We would also like to express our sincere thanks to Baroness Helen Newlove for her service over her two terms as Victim's Commissioner. No-one has done more than Helen to ensure that the victims of crime are recognised as being at the heart of the work of the Criminal Justice System.”

Congratulations to Claire on the appointment. We are grateful for the impressive work Claire has undertaken during her time as London’s first Independent Victims’ Commissioner.  Riel Karmy-Jones KC, CBA Chair of and Andrew Thomas KC, CBA Vice Chair. www.gov.uk/government/n....

Claire Waxman OBE appointed as Victims’ Commissioner

The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice has approved the appointment of Claire Waxman OBE as Victims’ Commissioner.

gov.uk

As the new legal year beckons, we are delighted to welcome Riel Karmy-Jones KC as our new Chair and Andrew Thomas KC as our new Vice-Chair. Riel and Andrew will continue to work with the Executive and our Officers, James Gray, Chloë Ashley and Matilda Robinson-Murphy.

#CriminalJusticeMatters Our CBA #podcast The Leveson Review of The Criminal Courts Daniel Oscroft, who practices from No5 Chambers, discusses the existing inefficiencies in the criminal courts system with Simon Spence KC and Kate Bex KC of Red Lion Chambers www.criminalbar.com/resources/po...

Justice in Numbers In 2024 the Criminal Bar, working with the Judiciary, Court Staff, Solicitors, the CPS and all agencies disposed of 113,885 cases in the Crown Court. A high level of cases (18,790) were committed for sentence to the Crown Court. Chair Mary Prior KC, Message

Lord chancellor Shabana Mahmood faces overwhelming opposition from criminal barristers if she pursues proposals to curb jury trials, the findings of a snap survey commissioned by the Criminal Bar Association suggests. www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/crimina...

Criminal bar says 'no' to curbs on jury trials

Criminal Bar Association survey reveals overwhelming opposition to more serious cases being heard by judge alone.

lawgazette.co.uk

More than 90 per cent of barristers oppose controversial plan to axe jury trials Barristers were polled on Sir Brian Leveson’s proposals to scrap jury trials www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/b...

More than 90 per cent of barristers oppose axing jury trials

Barristers were polled on Sir Brian Leveson’s proposals to scrap jury trials

standard.co.uk

The Criminal Bar Association’s survey of Criminal Barristers’ views of the Leveson Review of the Criminal Courts, a Government commissioned review. 2029 criminal barristers responded in 7 days The survey was open from 16 to 23 July 2025 The Leveson Review published 9 July 2025

“We should think very carefully before removing the right to trial by jury. Once it is removed, it will not return. Pragmatism is essential, but fundamental principles must not yield to expediency. We must eliminate the delay but not at the expensive of fairness” CBA treasurer James Gray

We cannot applaud the removal of what the public sees as a basic human right. The public takes part in the criminal justice system, deciding the guilt or otherwise of its fellow citizens. This is a significant protection, ensuring that laws remain fair and justice remains open to all. Mary Prior KC

Snap! Criminal Barristers please take 10 minutes out of the next 90 minutes to complete the CBA survey on the Leveson Review. At 10am today the survey closes. Every voice counts. Thank you for the time and insights you give as you prepare cases for court.

24 hours to go Your Criminal Bar Needs You! Criminal barristers please complete the CBA snap survey on the Leveson Review. The deadline for responses is tomorrow morning 10am Wednesday 23 July. Please encourage colleagues across Circuits - every voice counts. Thank you.

Chair We urge the Government to work with us, using the efficiency recommendations that we have provided to fix the broken system rather than focussing on reinventing it. That way we can reduce the trauma for at least some of those whose lives are on hold whilst they wait for years for their trial.

Sunday is survey day 3 days to go Criminal barristers please complete the CBA snap survey on the Leveson Review. The deadline for responses is 10am Wednesday 23 July. OneBarNone. Stronger together. Your voice, our criminal bar. Thank you. We are grateful for your time.

Calling Criminal Barristers. The Leveson Review. 5 days to go to complete the CBA snap survey on the Leveson Review. The deadline for responses is 10am Wednesday 23 July. Your voice matters for our collective say. Thank you. We are grateful for your time.

In The Brief today: @londonlegal.bsky.social support trust Walking into record books; @Law_Commission looks at chancel repair liability. Sign up for the latest #legal news, comment & gossip: home.thetimes.com/newsletters

The Leveson Review Have you completed the survey? Calling all Criminal Barristers. We need your say so we can have a greater collective voice. The deadline for responses is 10am Wednesday 23 July. We are grateful for your time.

We cannot applaud the removal of what the public sees as a basic human right. The public takes part in the criminal justice system, deciding the guilt or otherwise of its fellow citizens. This is a significant protection, ensuring that laws remain fair and justice remains open to all. Mary Prior KC

The Leveson Review Criminal barristers Please complete the CBA snap survey on the Leveson Review. The deadline for responses is 10am Wednesday 23 July. Thank you. We are grateful for your time.

Listen to this episode of Tonight with Andrew Marr on Global Player CBA Chair Mary Prior KC is in discussion with @lbc.co.uk Andrew Marr, explaining proposals set out in the Government commissioned Review of the Criminal Courts by Sir Brian Leveson. Why #juries matter The right to jury trial.

“We should think very carefully before removing the right to trial by jury. Once it is removed, it will not return. Pragmatism is essential, but fundamental principles must not yield to expediency. We must eliminate the delay but not at the expensive of fairness” CBA treasurer James Gray

Former CBA Chair Francis FitzGibbon KC discussed on @LBCNews the space needed in and out of prison for rehabilitation, the “revolving door” impact of short prison sentences and how cuts to court capacity increase backlogs and delay, causing remand to rise 45m24s- www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lbcn...

John Stratford | Global Player

Listen to John Stratford for free on Global Player.

globalplayer.com

“There is no alternative but to make change” Mary Prior KC, CBA Chair, reviews the Independent Sentencing Review, as reported in today’s @Independent. “Ending short sentences was welcomed by the Criminal Bar Association “because they don’t work”. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...

Chemical castration of sex offenders ‘worthwhile’ exploring – review chairman

The review led by former justice secretary David Gauke recommended reforms to overhaul the prisons system.

independent.co.uk

Independent Sentencing Review. “Plainly, significant investment will be necessary to implement change and that investment must include ensuring that the criminal barristers who prosecute and defend the trials and sentence hearings remain.” Mary Prior KC, Chair of the Criminal Bar Association.

Court system in crisis as ‘jaw-dropping’ delays see first trials listed for 2029 “It cannot be right for victims of crime, eyewitnesses and those accused of crimes to have to wait until 2029 for their trial to take place” Mary Prior KC, Chair of the CBA. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...

Court system in crisis as ‘jaw-dropping’ delays see first trials listed for 2029

Exclusive: One barrister said his client might not live to see his case come to trial in four years

independent.co.uk

Criminal Barristers are key workers. Without us, the Criminal Justice System would collapse. We are paid by the Government to undertake a public service.

The 4 requests in our submission to @hmtreasury: an independent review body or the ability of the CLAAB to make remuneration recommendations; ring-fencing of the outstanding monies promised during the deal; an increase of 15% in all fees; Chair Mary Prior KC, Message.

Thank you to all who gave their time, preparing, setting-up, presenting, listening, learning and sharing. #1BarNone Another excellent Spring Conference