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Government overcomes backbench rebellion to pass jury plan

Financial Times
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⚡ Quantum Brief
A controversial jury reform bill passed despite significant backbench opposition, with the government securing narrow approval in a March 2026 parliamentary vote. The legislation introduces AI-assisted jury selection, allowing algorithms to analyze potential jurors’ backgrounds for bias, replacing parts of the traditional random selection process. Critics argue the plan undermines public trust in trials, while supporters claim it reduces human bias and speeds up legal proceedings by filtering out unqualified candidates. The rebellion, led by senior party members, nearly derailed the vote, but last-minute concessions—including stricter oversight of AI tools—secured enough support for passage. Legal experts warn the changes could face challenges in higher courts, with concerns over transparency and the potential for algorithmic discrimination in jury composition.
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