Justice secretary’s plans likely to increase black people’s suspicion of court system, committee suggests

David Lammy’s planned changes to the criminal courts in England and Wales could have a “far-reaching” impact on race relations, a cross-party committee of MPs has concluded.

The deputy prime minister’s plan to remove the right to elect for a crown court trial “has the potential to increase mistrust in the criminal justice system among the black community”, the justice select committee said, because black defendants are more likely to elect for trial.

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© Photograph: Ian West/PA

© Photograph: Ian West/PA

© Photograph: Ian West/PA

David Lammy to announce trial of AI assistants in crown courts in effort to cut backlog of cases

A plan to roll out virtual legal assistants powered by artificial intelligence to crown courts has prompted warnings that the technology should not be used to “replace vital funding and additional court staff”.

David Lammy, the deputy prime minister, will announce on Tuesday that AI assistants will be trialled in an effort to cut the backlog of court cases in England and Wales.

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© Photograph: Salivanchuk Semyon/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Salivanchuk Semyon/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Salivanchuk Semyon/Shutterstock

British officials accused Vice President JD Vance of trying to “stir up division” in his comments on the murder of Henry Nowak, whose killer was sentenced to life in prison last week.

© Ben Stansall/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images