DAVID LAMMY’S reported plans to scrap jury trials for all but the most serious offences are an “assault on our rights,” campaigners warned today.

The Justice Secretary has written to officials suggesting that only rape, murder and manslaughter cases might continue to be heard by juries as part of an overhaul of the court system, according to the Times.

In a memo cited by the paper, Mr Lammy, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said there was “no right” to jury trials in Britain and argued that limiting them would not compromise the rights of suspects.

The proposal comes as ministers consider recommendations by Sir Brian Leveson on reforming the courts to cut the record backlog of crown court cases.

Downing Street said jury trials would “remain a cornerstone” of justice for the most serious cases but confirmed that the government was exploring whether some “need not be heard by a jury.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson added that the system was in crisis, with 78,000 cases awaiting trial, so bold reform was needed.

Sir Brian’s review suggested reserving juries for the most serious or complex cases, with others diverted to magistrates’ courts or a proposed crown court bench division of judge-only trials.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, he said the justice system was at “crisis point,” warning that delays risked victims dropping out and evidence being lost.

Reports last week suggested that ministers may seek to limit jury trials in thousands of cases, with Courts Minister Sarah Sackman KC saying that “swift justice” must take priority over defendants’ ability to choose where they are tried.

The plans have faced strong resistance from across the legal profession.

The Bar Council has said that “there is no need to curtail the right to a trial by jury — from both a principle and practical position,” while nearly three-quarters of solicitors surveyed by the Law Society expressed concern.

Law Society president Mark Evans said the “extreme measure” went “far beyond” Sir Brian’s recommendations and evidence that it would reduce backlogs was lacking.

Green MP Sian Berry said the government must “fund our justice system properly” and “not make people pay for Labour and Conservative austerity with their fundamental rights.

“This is yet another assault on our rights from an increasingly authoritarian government,” she added.

“This proposal would scrap a fundamental cornerstone of our justice system which has been in place for 800 years.”