Copyright … Strode’s College Laws students are free to make use of ‘Pdf Print files’ for study purposes (they should print them off and take them to class). Others should ask before copying or using these ‘ Pdf Print Files ’. Produced by, and copyright of, Dr Peter Jepson -

Juries Prior to these lessons you should have read and précised Chapter 18 of ‘The English Legal System’ by Jacqueline Martin. Aim/Objective: For students to understand the value of Juries. Slides updated 2013

Do not chat in this Lecture Ensure your mobile is switched off. Take notes – you can annotate your PDF printout. Raise your hand if you wish to ask a question Do not eat any food in this classroom or leave any litter

Juries… In which courts are juries used? What was established in Bushell’s Case (1670) ?

20 th Century Developments... Prior to 1972 there was a property and age qualification (21 and 60 and a home owner or ratepayer). Q – What impact did this have on women? In 1967 unanimous verdicts were abolished – police welcomed this saying unanimity facilitated intimidation of jurors.

Jurors – Juries Act 1974 Used in Crown Court Criminal Trials to decide if D is guilty or not guilty. At first must be unanimous, after two hours the judge may allow a majority verdict (10 or 11 from 12) Jurors excluded while points of law considered. Can ask written questions

Jury Service is a Civic Duty… It is compulsory Right to time of work Can claim loss of earnings and travel expenses Shown videos about serving as a Juror I swear by Almighty God that I will faithfully try the defendant and give a true verdict according to the evidence.

Jury Qualifications As per the Juries Act 1974 (as amended) Selected from electoral roll Must be resident in the UK Aged 18 to 70 Produce a list of people who are disqualified or able to be excused from Jury Service.

Activity… Undertake the activities on pages 260 and 261 of “The English Legal System”.

Selecting a Jury… Names are selected at random from the electoral register. More than 12 jurors will be summonsed as it is not known how many will be disqualified or excused. Jury service is not optional and those called must inform the court if there is any reason why they cannot attend.

Vetting Two types: Routine police checks Wider background checks  When are routine police checks carried out?  When is a wider check likely to be made on a juror’s background?

Juries’ Role in Criminal Cases Judge decides points of law. Jury decides the facts. Jury make their decision in secret and do not have to give any reasons for their decision. S8 Contempt of Court Act 1981 makes it a criminal offence to disclose anything that happened in the jury room.

Civil Juries In the civil courts there is a right to a jury in the following cases… Defamation Fraud Malicious Prosecution False imprisonment If the case involves a lot of documentary evidence, or scientific or accounting material, a Jury can be refused (example McLibel trial)

Arguments for and against Juries In pairs, produce a table explaining advantages and disadvantages of jury trial. What are the alternatives to jury trial?

Students are to break into Law Firms to as to present to class the below topics … Jury Qualifications Selecting a Jury (including vetting) Advantages of Jury Trial Disadvantages of Jury Trial The Jury’s Role in Criminal Cases and Alternatives to Jury Trial.

Plan answers … Plan answers to the examination questions on page 275 of ‘”The English Legal System” by Jacqueline Martin