The second Part of Sir Brian Leveson’s Independent Review of the Criminal Courts was published last week but largely overlooked in light of the Mandelson scandal.   

In this week’s episode Ken Macdonald KC and Tim Owen KC are joined by Sir Brian to discuss the details of his mammoth, Part 2 Report and to get his response to the very strong criticisms from both the legal profession, the judiciary and politicians from all sides to his first Report on jury reform. 

Sir Brian’s Second Report covers a vast range of issues which, if enacted in full, certainly do have the potential to achieve radical change in the way our criminal justice system functions.  His recommendations include the creation of a Criminal Justice Adviser to the Prime Minister with the aim of co-ordinating a single vision for the currently fragmented criminal justice agencies (police, courts service, CPS and prisons); a National Listing Framework to reduce the number of ineffective hearings; the setting up of remote hearings by default for preliminary hearings in the Crown Court and first hearings in the magistrates courts to reduce travel to and from court centres; vastly increased use of AI for case management; legal aid reforms and numerous other significant changes to promote increased efficiency. 

Are Sir Brian’s recommendations really new? 

And what are the chances of the Government embracing them in full, as he urges them to do, alongside increased funding for the justice system and implementation of the structural reforms to jury trial explained in his first Report?  

For anyone interested in reading the full report, click here... 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-of-the-criminal-courts-part-2 

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Covering the critical intersections of politics and law in the UK with expert commentary on high-profile legal cases, political controversies, prisons and sentencing, human rights law, current political events and the shifting landscape of justice and democracy. With in-depth discussions and influential guests, Double Jeopardy is the podcast that uncovers the forces shaping Britain's legal and political future.    

What happens when politics and law collide? How do politics shape the law - and when does the law push back? What happens when judicial independence is tested, human rights come under attack, or freedom of expression is challenged? And who really holds power in Britain's legal and political system?  Get answers to questions like these weekly on Wednesdays.   

Double Jeopardy is presented by Ken Macdonald KC, former Director of Public Prosecutions, and Tim Owen KC, as they break down the legal and political issues in Britain. From high-profile legal cases to the evolving state of British democracy, Double Jeopardy offers expert legal commentary on the most pressing topics in UK law, politics, and human rights.    

Ken Macdonald KC served as Director of Public Prosecutions from 2003-2008, shaping modern prosecutorial policy and advocating for the rule of law. He is a former Warden of Wadham College, Oxford, a crossbench member of the House of Lords, and a leading writer, commentator and broadcaster on politics and the rule of law. 

Tim Owen KC has been involved in many of the most significant public, criminal and human rights law cases over the past four decades.  Both bring unparalleled experience from the frontline of Britain's legal and political landscape. 

If you like The Rest Is Politics, Talking Politics, Law Pod UK and Today in Focus, you'll love Double Jeopardy.

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