Why Sadiq Khan has called for reform of fast-track court system
- Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has urged the government to urgently reform the Single Justice Procedure fast-track court system.
- The call follows revelations that domestic abuse victims are being convicted for unpaid household bills after being denied access to money by controlling partners.
- Lord Khan warned that vulnerable women are being unfairly criminalised by the system, which allows single magistrates to rule based solely on written evidence.
- The Mayor recently experienced SJP errors firsthand when a conviction fraudulently logged in his name over an untaxed car was overturned.
- The Ministry of Justice confirmed it is reviewing support for vulnerable defendants, with further details on proposed court reforms to be published shortly.
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