Solicitor General Harriet Harman, pictured, came to Bradford yesterday to seek views on a proposed shake-up of the legal system.

Legal experts and members of the public spoke about the radical recommendations which include measures to ensure ethnic minorities sit on the juries of race-related trials.

Among the 350 proposals drawn up by senior judge Sir Robin Auld is the addition of an extra court tier between the crown and magistrates, the lifting of the double jeopardy rule for serious crimes such as murder, and denying some defendants the right to a jury trial.

Miss Harman said the Government would publish a White Paper on proposed changes to the law in the spring following its nationwide consultation exercise.

Speaking at the Yorkshire and Humber leg of the tour, at Bradford's Midland Hotel, she said: "We want to seek the views of the wider public as well as those working in the criminal justice system to gain a broad consensus for effective reform of our criminal courts and to ensure justice is done and seen to be done."

She added: "The system could be fairer, clearer and simpler and certainly could be swifter." Miss Harman refused to give her own feelings on the individual proposals, insisting she had come to "listen to the views out there, not to give answers".

Today Miss Harman was due to meet the outspoken Deputy Chief Constable of West Yorkshire, Phillip Brear, who has called for major changes to the justice system. He has previously said: "Far too often criminals are playing the system and getting off the hook, while victims and witnesses suffer."