Radical proposals for the criminal courts—Leveson’s Report (Part I)
Corporate Crime analysis: A radical overhaul of the criminal courts is on the table. Part 1 of the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, led by former President of the Queen’s Bench Division, Sir Brian Leveson, examines reform options for proportionate case handling in the Crown Court and measures to improve operational efficiency. From expanding Out of Court Resolutions (OOCRs) to introducing judge-only trials for complex fraud cases and creating a new Crown Court Bench Division (CCBD), the proposals are bold—and controversial. With concerns over due process and the erosion of jury trials, as well as the high implementation costs and likely political resistance, the question remains: can such a transformation be delivered without further undermining public confidence in the justice system? Written by John Binns, Partner and Amelia Clegg, Associate at BCL Solicitors LLP.