Reducing the number of jury trials in New Zealand would only “marginally” speed up the court system, according to the Law Society.

Lawyers yesterday hit back at claims by Justice Minister Simon Power that defence lawyers are cashing in on the criminal justice system………….

…………………….     Leading defence lawyer Gary Gotlieb said it was always better for 12 people on a jury to make decisions on a defendant’s charges than a single judge whose views may have become entrenched in the legal system or “cynical” during years as a lawyer.

Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/crime/news/article.cfm?c_id=30&objectid=10572953