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Starmer Report: Jury Trial Cuts Led to Wrongful Convictions

3/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Sir Keir Starmer's report concludes that removing jury trials in Northern Ireland during the 1990s led to wrongful convictions.
The report, co-authored with the Prime Minister, criticizes the Diplock court system for failing to ensure reliable evidence.
Critics, including Nick Timothy (Shadow Justice Secretary), argue that reforms to limit jury trials echo these warnings and threaten protections for defendants.
The government defends the changes as necessary to address court backlogs.

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Story summary

Sir Keir Starmer's report concludes that removing jury trials in Northern Ireland during the 1990s led to wrongful convictions.
The report, co-authored with the Prime Minister, criticizes the Diplock court system for failing to ensure reliable evidence.
Critics, including Nick Timothy (Shadow Justice Secretary), argue that reforms to limit jury trials echo these warnings and threaten protections for defendants.
The government defends the changes as necessary to address court backlogs.