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

In this third episode dealing with the Leveson Review, Daniel Oscroft, a specialist criminal barrister with over 20 years’ experience who practices from No5 Chambers, discusses the existing inefficiencies in the criminal courts system with Simon Spence KC and Kate Bex KC.

The Leveson Review was commissioned by the Government and published on 9 July 2025. In his report, Sir Brian Leveson made a series of recommendations including limiting the right to jury trial, resolving more cases before they reach the courts, and the creation of a new Crown Court Bench Division which would see judges sit alongside two magistrates to deal with some cases without any jury present.

Following a wide-ranging consultation with interested parties, and a survey of all practicing criminal Barristers,the CBA’s position on Part 1 of the Leveson Review has been settled and can be found here:

The full CBA response sent to the Leveson Review on 3 February 2025, can be found here.

Sir Brian Leveson is due to publish a second part to his review which is expected to look at how to improve efficiency within the Criminal Courts in the Autumn.

Criminal Justice Matters is produced on behalf of the Criminal Bar Association by Adam Batstone Media &Communications

For any further information on issues raised in this series contact: James Rossiter, CBA director of Communications

07985117887

Sir Brian Leveson has published his recommendations into how changes could be made to the criminal jusitce system aimed at addressing the backlog of cases awaiting trial and taking pressure off the criminal courts.

His recommendations include limiting the right to jury trial, resolving more cases before they reach the courts and the creation of a new Crown Court Bench Division which would see judges sit alongside two magistrates to deal with some cases without any jury present.

In this episode of the Criminal Justice Matters podccast, from the Criminal Bar Association of England and Wales, Simon Spence KC, Kate Bex KC and Francis FitzGibbon KC give their response , reaction and opinions to the recommendations included in the Leveson Review.

CBA members can make their views known by taking part in the CBA member survey. More details are available via the CBA website.

Criminal Justice Matters is produced on behalf of the CBA by Adam Batstone Media & Communications

Kate Bex KC and Simon Spence KC are joined in this episode by Claire Waxman OBE who was appointed London’s first Independent Victims’ Commissioner in 2017.

Together they discuss the vexed issue of whether or not offenders should be forced to attend their sentencing hearing.

Is it a necessary part of the process? Should physical force be used to produce them at Court or threaten them with the loss of privileges in prison? Would forcing them to attend present an opportunity for grandstanding, disruption and the further degradation of their victims?

Listen in to hear Kate, Simon and Claire discuss offenders, victims and the sentencing of those convicted of the most serious crimes.

Criminal Justice Matters is produced on behalf of the Criminal Bar Association by Adam Batstone Media & Communications

In this latest episode of Criminal Justice Matters, Kate Bex KC and Simon Spence KC are joined by former Criminal Bar Association Chair Francis FitzGibbon KC to discuss the up-coming Review of the Criminal Justice System by Sir Brian Leveson.

In late 2024, Sir Brian was appointed to consider the futureof criminal justice in England and Wales. The terms of reference suggested that radical changes were being considered. Francis Fitzgibbon KC and Jeremy Dein KCled a committee of barristers who together compiled the CBA’s comprehensive submission to the Review. Listen to this latest episode to hear Simon, Kate and Francis discuss what lies ahead for criminal justice.’

Criminal Justice Matters is produced and edited on behalf of The Criminal Bar Association by Adam Batstone Media & Communications

In this latest episode of the Criminal Justice Matters podcast, Simon Spence KC and Kate Bex KC discuss the implications of the growing backlog of Crown Court cases on the criminal justice system.

The podcast includes an extract from evidence given by the Lady Chief Justice Baroness Sue Carr in Parliament last year in which she set out how the reduction in sitting days was having a wide impact on the entire process and causing a great deal of stress to everyone involved from court staff, judges and the criminal barristers prosecuting cases in courts throughout England and Wales.

Simon and Kate are both experienced criminal silks and members of Red Lion Court Chambers in London. They have both sat as Recorders and prosecuted and defended in some of the most high profile criminal trials of recent years.

If you have issues that you would like Kate and Simon to discuss in future episodes of Criminal Justice Matters or if you would lime to be a guest on the podcast please do get in touch via the CBA website www.criminalbar.com or by contacting us on Twitter/X @TheCriminalBar.

Criminal Justice Matters is edited and produced by Adam Batstone Media and Communications