In many parts of the world, trials are being replaced by legal processes that encourage people to admit guilt and waive their right to a full trial.
Fair Trials and law firm Freshfields (who worked with us pro bono) spent two years researching the global use of trial waiver systems.
We found that of the 90 countries studied, 66 have these kinds of formal trial waiver systems in place. In 1990, the number was just 19.
This report presents the results of our research, analysing the drivers of this phenomenon, assessing the legal and human rights implications and providing recommendations for the development of a rights-based approach to trial waiver systems.
