Fraud trials could lose jury

Serious fraud cases could be heard without a jury, under new legislation from the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

The move is aimed at reducing the cost of what can be lengthy and expensive legal procedures.

In further reform of the criminal justice system, a new Fraud (trials without jury) Bill will see the prosecution being able to apply for permission for a juryless trial.

A High Court Judge would need to agree to this and the order would require the approval of the Lord Chief Justice.

The plans were outlined in the Queen's speech, delivered to the House of Commons on Wednesday.

Tribunals

Other new legislation will see reform of the tribunal system and changes to the qualifications for judicial appointment and the enforcement of judgements.

The Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill also aims to tackle social exclusion and the increasing problem of over-indebtedness.

It will clarify the law around the operation of bailiffs and "help stamp out malpractice and abuse of the system".

The bill will also protect those who have fallen into debt with a new personal insolvency procedure for those who need help.

Legal services

A separate Legal Services Bill aims to ensure better regulation of the legal profession and greater competition in the legal  services market.

Legal watchdogs will be required to separate their representative and regulatory functions and a new legal services board will provide independent oversight of the legal regulatory bodies.

In addition, an office for legal complaints will be set up to increase confidence in the system.

And competition and choice in the legal services sector will be improved by enabling new kinds of business structures which would allow different types of lawyers and non-lawyers to work on an equal platform.