The Government has dropped its proposal for judge-only trials in Crown Court cases likely to receive a sentence of three years or less. The change was made during the Commons Report Stage of the Courts and Tribunals Bill on 13th October 2026.
The Bill passed its Third Reading by 301 votes to 193 and now moves to the House of Lords. It has not yet become law.
Key Dates
- 2nd December 2025: The Government announced its “Swift Courts” plan, including judge-only trials for cases likely to receive a sentence of three years or less.
- 25th February 2026: The Courts and Tribunals Bill was introduced to Parliament.
- 4th October 2026: The Government announced that it would remove the proposal for judge-only trials in those cases.
- 13th October 2026: MPs removed the relevant clause and passed the amended Bill at Third Reading. The Bill now moves to the Lords.
What could the remaining reforms mean in practice?
The Bill still proposes removing a defendant’s right to choose a Crown Court trial for an either-way offence if Magistrates decide they can hear the case. It would also allow the Crown Court to send some cases back to the magistrates’ court without the defendant’s consent. Magistrates’ sentencing powers would increase and appeals from Magistrates’ courts would require permission and would be limited to the issues allowed on appeal. Judge-only trials would remain possible for certain complex or lengthy cases, including fraud and financial cases.
In practical terms, if the Bill becomes law in its current form, defendants charged with either-way offences may lose the ability to insist that their case is heard in the Crown Court before a jury. The court would decide where the case is heard. More cases could be tried and sentenced in the Magistrates’ court, and challenging a Magistrates’ court decision could become more difficult.
When could the Bill become law?
There is no confirmed date for Royal Assent. The Bill must complete its stages in the House of Lords. If Peers amend it, the Commons will need to consider those amendments. That process can take weeks or months, and potentially longer if there is significant debate or disagreement. That is an estimate only; Parliament has not set a final timetable. The UK Parliament’s Bill page shows the Commons stages completed, with the Lords stages and Royal Assent still to come.
Article dated 13th October 2026.
