In this episode of the Criminal Justice Matters podcast fromthe ⁠Criminal Bar Association of England & Wales⁠, the Member of Parliament for Hull East, Karl Turner, a former Shadow Attorney General, discusses the Government’s proposals for reform of jury trials with CBA podcast hosts Kate Bex KC ⁠ and ⁠Simon Spence KC⁠.

Karl Turner is a Labour MP and a former practising criminalbarrister who has spearheaded a cross party campaign within Parliament to maintain the existing system of right to trial by jury. The podcast sets out Karl’s vocal opposition to the Government’s stated policy of curbing jury trials, which would impact around half the existing cases in the Crown Court backlog.

Karl's campaign has placed him at odds with his party colleagues and personal friends including the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy.

The podcasts explores the need to reinvest across thecriminal justice system and addresses a range of fundamental inefficiencies behind the case backlogs and delays that impact large parts of England and Wales.

The podcast references the case backlog at Kingston UponHull Crown Court, which is notable for being one of the few Crown Courts to have managed its backlog over the past year.

The case backlog in Hull reduced 9.4% to 537 over the 12 months to September 2025, compared to an increase of 9% to79,619 across England and Wales over the same period. Hull’s backlog began to rise sharply in 2019 before Covid and rose again during and post Covid. By September 2025 Hull’s case backlog was 39% higher than its low of 385 in June2019, while across England and Wales, there has been a 133% rise in the national backlog over the same six-year period.

The average waiting times from charge to trial conclusion at Hull Crown Court are also considerably better than the national averages for both remand and bail cases.

The CBA has no party-political leaning or affiliation andlistens to MPs and Peers of all political persuasions, engaging without fear or favour on issues that impact upon the functioning of the criminal justice system.

Criminal Justice Matters is edited and produced on behalf ofthe Criminal Bar Association by ⁠Adam Batstone Media & Communications⁠. . The views expressed by all contributors are their personal opinions on the topicsdiscussed.

In this special episode of the Criminal Justice Matters podcast from the Criminal Bar Association of England & Wales, regular hosts Kate Bex KC and Simon Spence KC are joined by The Secret Barrister.

The Secret Barrister is a practising criminal barrister whose books and blog highlighting shortcomings in the criminal justice system are read by thousands and have shone a light on the daily reality of life in Crown Courts across the land.

The Secret Barrister gives their response to recent Government recommendations to limit the use of jury trials to only the most serious cases as part of the effort to tackle the huge backlog of criminal proceedings awaiting trial.

As well as discussion on the serious issues facing the criminal justice system, the podcast touches on The Secret Barrister's recent novel The Cut Throat Trial, favourite Christmas movies and the challenges of retaining anonymity in a social media world.

Criminal Justice Matters is edited and produced on behalf of the Criminal Bar Association by Adam Batstone Media & Communications . The views expressed by all contributors are their personal opinions on the topics discussed.

In this latest episode of the Criminal Justice Matters podcast from the Criminal Bar Association of England & Wales,former Chair of the CBA Mary Prior KC discusses with the Chair of the Bar Council, Barbara Mills KC the privilege, responsibility and pressures of their offices, and their efforts to help barristers of all backgrounds become the best they can be.

Mary and Barbara share their insights into what it takes as women to have risen to the very highest positions of leadership during a time of ongoing generational shift towards greater inclusiveness, kindness and respect in the profession.

They shine a light into the world of negotiations with justice stakeholders, and highlight the power of unity shared through mutual trust between Chairs.

Mary Prior KC, was CBA Chair for a year until 31 August 2025 before which she served one year as Vice Chair. Barbara Mills KC continues her term as Bar Council Chair until 31 December 2025. Riel Karmy-Jones KC succeeded Mary as CBA Chair on 1 September 2025 andcontinues to positively engage with criminal justice matters at the highest political and judicial levels, and fosters the strong, united, working Chair relationship with the Bar Council leadership.

Criminal Justice Matters is produced on behalf of theCriminal Bar Association by ⁠AdamBatstone Media &Communications⁠

For any further information on issues raised in this seriescontact: James Rossiter, CBA director of Communications ⁠07985 117887