The House of Commons met on 10 March 2026 to debate and vote on the Bill, which follows recommendations from Sir Brian Leveson’s Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, to reduce the Crown Court caseload, improve timely access to justice, and allocate resources more proportionately.
It changes how cases are allocated between magistrates’ courts and the Crown Court, removes defendants’ right to elect Crown Court trial in triable‑either‑way cases, reforms appeals, and expands magistrates’ sentencing powers to retain suitable cases.
It also creates new judge‑alone trial modes, including a Crown Court Bench Division and provisions for complex fraud cases, to free jury capacity for more serious matters.
A reasoned amendment to the Bill was rejected and the Bill was read a second time: Ayes 304, Noes 203
