Jess Phillips backs jury bill as she reveals she is ‘victim of courts backlog’

The Guardian - World NewsEN 4 min read 100% complete by Alexandra Topping, political correspondentMarch 10, 2026 at 04:43 PM

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Labour MP Jess Phillips is advocating for a bill that would reduce jury trials, citing her own experience as a victim of the court backlog. A man accused of breaching a restraining order against her will not have his case heard until 2028. Phillips argues the current system is "broken" and used to control victims, particularly in cases of violence against women. She believes the alleged breach should have been handled in magistrates court, not crown court. The bill aims to address the growing backlog of 80,000 cases, which could see some defendants waiting until 2030 for trial. The government faces opposition to the bill, with lawyers and victims of past injustices expressing concerns about limiting jury trials.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Guardian 30% Wales 40% Jo Hamilton 40% United Kingdom 40% Karl Turner 50% Labour Party 60% David Lammy ×260% Jess Phillips ×590%

Keywords

courts backlog 90% jury trials 80% restraining order 70% crown court 70% court system 60% domestic violence 60% victims of crime 60% courts and tribunals bill 50% magistrates court 40%