The MoJ has estimated that just under half of trials currently put before a jury could instead by heard by magistrates or a judge sitting alone.
Defendants who are likely to receive a sentence of three years or less would no longer be able to choose a jury trial under Lammy’s proposals.
The ability to appeal against a magistrates’ court verdict to a crown court would also be limited – but the most serious cases, such as murder, robbery and rape, would continue to be eligible for a jury trial.
Lammy has launched a recruitment drive for more volunteer magistrates to help tackle the backlog but he has yet to draw up legislation to limit crown court trials.
Dozens of Labour MPs have expressed concern about the plan and it is also likely to be resisted by all of the main opposition parties.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said it “risks fairness, undermines public trust, and erodes the very foundation of our justice system”.
Karl Turner, a former criminal barrister who was the only Labour MP to vote for a Conservative motion opposing the plans, has claimed the proposed changes are all about “saving money”.
“David Lammy has no backbone and Keir Starmer should be utterly ashamed of himself for allowing Lammy to fall for this civil servant’s trick,” he told Sky News, external.
He added: “They need to U-turn immediately, just as they U-turn on everything else.”
The Institute for Government think tank has argued that Lammy’s plans would only result in a “modest” reduction, external in the time taken to deal with cases and the government should instead focus on improving productivity in the courts.
It points to a shortage of criminal lawyers, poor administration and a longstanding lack of investment in court buildings and technology.