Juries

• Who undertakes the selection of the jury?

  The Jury Central Summoning Bureau
• What is the age range for being an eligible juror?

  18-75 years old
• What are the residency requirements to be eligible for jury service?


  You must be a resident of the UK, Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man for at least 5 consecutive years
• What are some reasons a person may be ineligible to serve on a jury?


  Disqualified if on bail, ineligible if mentally disordered, excused if in the armed forces, discretionary if due to exams or pregnancy
• How many people are selected from the jury pool to enter the courtroom?


  Fifteen people
• How many jurors actually serve from the fifteen selected?

  Twelve jurors serve, while three remain as reserves
• What are the two types of vetting that may occur during jury selection?

  Routine criminal record check and a wider background check
• What does it mean to be challenged as a juror?

  It means the prosecution or defense believes you are unfit to serve
• What are the three types of challenges that can occur during jury selection?

  'For cause', 'to the array', and prosecution's right to stand by an individual juror
• In which court are jurors used for trials?

  Crown Court
• What is the role of the jury in a trial?

  They are the 'deciders of fact' and return a verdict of guilty or not guilty
• What is the first responsibility of jurors during a trial?


  Swearing in by giving an oath or affirmation
• What must jurors do during the trial?


  Listen to evidence from witnesses, including cross-examinations, and the judge's summation of the law
• What is a juror's responsibility after the trial?


  To enter a private jury room to reach a verdict without any devices
• What is a criminal offence related to jury deliberations?


  Disclosing information or asking about what happens in the jury room
• What is the aim of the jurors regarding their verdict?


  To reach a unanimous verdict
• What happens if a unanimous verdict is unlikely after 2 hours?


  The judge may accept a majority verdict of 11/1 or 10/2
• What is the minimum majority required for a verdict?


  9 jurors must agree
• Who announces the verdict and the numbers of those who agreed and disagreed?

  The foreperson of the jury
• What must the judge do according to Bushell's case (1670)?


  The judge must accept the jury's verdict
• What are the advantages of juries?

  • Impartiality due to 12 jurors
  • Secrecy in the jury room
  • Jury equity as a safeguard against oppressive governments
  • Public confidence in the criminal justice system
• What are the disadvantages of juries?

  • Secrecy can lead to unfair trials (e.g., R v Young)
  • Outside influences can affect decisions (e.g., R v Twomey and R v Karakaya)
  • Perverse Judgements sometimes it's unfair to refuse to convict a defendant
  • Lack of understanding means defendant isn't getting a fair trial