Our aim is a system that works fairly not only for victims of crime, and the rights of the accused, but also for the criminal barristers relied upon to prosecute and defend cases of all levels of seriousness and complexity.
Chair and Vice Chair, Message.
Respect
Respect is an essential value. In an adversarial system that is under considerable pressure, it will be respect and courtesy that bind us together, particularly in this critical time.
“It is not the jury’s fault that the system is in such a mess.”
“Why Juries Matter” Francis FitzGibbon KC examines the evidence in @LondonReview for the recommendations in Sir Brian Leveson’s Government-commissioned Independent Review of the Criminal Courts.
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
“Baroness Helen Newlove’s achievements in the role have been immense.”
Riel Karmy-Jones KC, Chair of the Criminal Bar Association, and Andrew Thomas KC, Vice Chair of the Criminal Bar Association.
www.gov.uk/government/n....
“We would also like to express our sincere thanks to Baroness Helen Newlove for her service over her two terms as Victim's Commissioner. No-one has done more than Helen to ensure that the victims of crime are recognised as being at the heart of the work of the Criminal Justice System.”
We believe that a vibrant, independent Criminal Bar is essential to ensuring that justice continues to be done and seen to be done.
Together with the Victims’ Commissioner, we must ensure fair trials remain at the heart of all we do. We will continue to campaign for the much needed investment to ensure that cases can be dealt with diligently and in a timely fashion.
As criminal justice professionals, we share the Commissioner's interest in improving our Criminal Justice System to protect the interests of victims of crime, their families and witnesses, whilst defending the rights of the accused.
The Criminal Bar will continue to support her as Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales and we look forward to furthering our constructive engagement.
Congratulations to Claire on the appointment. We are grateful for the impressive work Claire has undertaken during her time as London’s first Independent Victims’ Commissioner.
Riel Karmy-Jones KC, CBA Chair of and Andrew Thomas KC, CBA Vice Chair.
www.gov.uk/government/n....
As the new legal year beckons, we are delighted to welcome Riel Karmy-Jones KC as our new Chair and Andrew Thomas KC as our new Vice-Chair.
Riel and Andrew will continue to work with the Executive and our Officers, James Gray, Chloë Ashley and Matilda Robinson-Murphy.
#CriminalJusticeMatters
Our CBA #podcast
The Leveson Review of The Criminal Courts
Daniel Oscroft, who practices from No5 Chambers, discusses the existing inefficiencies in the criminal courts system with Simon Spence KC and Kate Bex KC of Red Lion Chambers
www.criminalbar.com/resources/po...
The last time so many cases were disposed of was in 2017.
The number of receipts within the Crown Court for cases of rape continues to increase. There were 911 cases in the first quarter of 2025. There were 3,023 in 2024.
Justice in Numbers
In 2024 the Criminal Bar, working with the Judiciary, Court Staff, Solicitors, the CPS and all agencies disposed of 113,885 cases in the Crown Court.
A high level of cases (18,790) were committed for sentence to the Crown Court.
Chair Mary Prior KC, Message
Lord chancellor Shabana Mahmood faces overwhelming opposition from criminal barristers if she pursues proposals to curb jury trials, the findings of a snap survey commissioned by the Criminal Bar Association suggests.
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/crimina...
More than 90 per cent of barristers oppose controversial plan to axe jury trials
Barristers were polled on Sir Brian Leveson’s proposals to scrap jury trials
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/b...
The Criminal Bar Association’s survey of Criminal Barristers’ views of the Leveson Review of the Criminal Courts, a Government commissioned review.
2029 criminal barristers responded in
7 days
The survey was open from
16 to 23 July 2025
The Leveson Review published 9 July 2025
“We should think very carefully before removing the right to trial by jury.
Once it is removed, it will not return. Pragmatism is essential, but fundamental principles must not yield to expediency. We must eliminate the delay but not at the expensive of fairness”
CBA treasurer James Gray
We cannot applaud the removal of what the public sees as a basic human right. The public takes part in the criminal justice system, deciding the guilt or otherwise of its fellow citizens. This is a significant protection, ensuring that laws remain fair and justice remains open to all.
Mary Prior KC
Snap!
Criminal Barristers please take 10 minutes out of the next 90 minutes to complete the CBA survey on the Leveson Review.
At 10am today the survey closes.
Every voice counts.
Thank you for the time and insights you give as you prepare cases for court.
24 hours to go
Your Criminal Bar Needs You!
Criminal barristers please complete the CBA snap survey on the Leveson Review.
The deadline for responses is tomorrow morning 10am Wednesday 23 July.
Please encourage colleagues across Circuits - every voice counts.
Thank you.
Chair
We urge the Government to work with us, using the efficiency recommendations that we have provided to fix the broken system rather than focussing on reinventing it. That way we can reduce the trauma for at least some of those whose lives are on hold whilst they wait for years for their trial.
Sunday is survey day
3 days to go
Criminal barristers please complete the CBA snap survey on the Leveson Review.
The deadline for responses is
10am Wednesday 23 July.
OneBarNone.
Stronger together.
Your voice, our criminal bar.
Thank you. We are grateful for your time.
Calling Criminal Barristers.
The Leveson Review.
5 days to go to complete the CBA snap survey on the Leveson Review.
The deadline for responses is
10am Wednesday 23 July.
Your voice matters for our collective say.
Thank you. We are grateful for your time.
In The Brief today: @londonlegal.bsky.social support trust Walking into record books; @Law_Commission looks at chancel repair liability. Sign up for the latest #legal news, comment & gossip: home.thetimes.com/newsletters
The Leveson Review
Have you completed the survey?
Calling all Criminal Barristers.
We need your say so we can have a greater collective voice.
The deadline for responses is
10am Wednesday 23 July.
We are grateful for your time.
We cannot applaud the removal of what the public sees as a basic human right. The public takes part in the criminal justice system, deciding the guilt or otherwise of its fellow citizens. This is a significant protection, ensuring that laws remain fair and justice remains open to all.
Mary Prior KC
The Leveson Review
Criminal barristers
Please complete the CBA snap survey on the Leveson Review.
The deadline for responses is
10am Wednesday 23 July.
Thank you.
We are grateful for your time.
Listen to this episode of Tonight with Andrew Marr on Global Player
CBA Chair Mary Prior KC is in discussion with @lbc.co.uk Andrew Marr, explaining proposals set out in the Government commissioned Review of the Criminal Courts by Sir Brian Leveson.
Why #juries matter
The right to jury trial.
“We should think very carefully before removing the right to trial by jury.
Once it is removed, it will not return. Pragmatism is essential, but fundamental principles must not yield to expediency. We must eliminate the delay but not at the expensive of fairness”
CBA treasurer James Gray