Law - Criminal + Civil

• What is a jury in the UK legal system?


  A jury is a group of 12 lay people selected to hear evidence in a court case.
• What is the primary role of a jury in the UK legal system?


  The primary role of a jury is to decide on the facts of the case and reach a verdict.
• In which court are juries primarily used in the UK?

  Juries are primarily used in Crown Court trials.
• What are the main roles of a jury in the UK legal system?


  • Listening to evidence presented in court
  • Deciding on the facts of the case
  • Reaching a verdict (guilty or not guilty)
  • Upholding the principle of being tried by one's peers
• What is the first step in the jury selection process in the UK?


  The first step is random selection from the electoral register.
• What happens after individuals are randomly selected for jury duty in the UK?


  They receive a jury summons informing them of their selection.
• What are the eligibility criteria for potential jurors in the UK?


  Potential jurors must be aged 18-75 and UK residents for at least 5 years.
• What can happen to individuals who are summoned for jury duty but cannot serve?


  They may be excused or have their service deferred for valid reasons.
• How many jurors are selected on the day of trial in the UK?


  12 jurors are randomly selected from the pool.
• What is the purpose of challenges during the jury selection process?


  Challenges allow the prosecution or defense to object to certain jurors.
• What is one advantage of trial by jury in the UK legal system?


  Trial by jury promotes fairness by allowing defendants to be judged by ordinary citizens.
• What are the advantages of trial by jury in the UK legal system?


  • Peer judgment promotes fairness
  • Community representation reflects diverse views
  • Protection against state oppression
  • Increases public confidence in the justice system
  • Collective decision-making leads to balanced outcomes
  • Civic education about the legal system
• What is a disadvantage of trial by jury?


  A disadvantage is the lack of legal expertise among jurors.
• How can personal biases affect jury decisions?


  Personal biases or media influence may lead jurors to make unfair decisions.
• What is one reason jury trials can be costly?

  Jury trials can be lengthy, leading to increased costs for the legal system.
• What is a potential issue with jury verdicts?


  Different juries may reach inconsistent verdicts in similar cases.
• What is jury tampering?

  Jury tampering refers to the risk of jurors being intimidated or bribed.
• How might emotional arguments influence jury decisions?


  Juries might be swayed by emotional arguments rather than focusing solely on facts.
• What is a challenge jurors face regarding technical evidence?


  Jurors may find it difficult to understand complex scientific or financial evidence.
• What is one recent proposal for jury reform in the UK?


  One proposal is to reduce jury size from 12 to 7 members.
• What does allowing majority verdicts mean in the context of jury trials?


  Allowing majority verdicts means that in some cases, a verdict of 10-2 is acceptable instead of requiring unanimity.
• How can juror understanding be improved according to recent proposals?


  Proposals suggest providing better guidance and explanations of legal concepts to jurors.
• What measures are proposed to address juror bias?


  Measures include creating more diverse jury pools to combat prejudice.
• What is one proposal to tackle jury intimidation?


  Increased security measures and anonymity for jurors in certain cases are proposed.
• How might technology be used in future jury trials?

  Proposals suggest the use of virtual jury trials, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• What are the recent reforms and proposals for jury reform in the UK?


  • Reducing jury size from 12 to 7 members
  • Allowing majority verdicts (10-2) in some cases
  • Improving juror understanding with better guidance
  • Addressing juror bias with more diverse jury pools
  • Tackling jury intimidation with increased security
  • Expanding jury service eligibility
  • Proposals for virtual jury trials
• what does the term 'independence' refer to in the context of the judiciary


  It refers to judges being kept separate from the other branches of government (executive and legislative branches).
• what act is involved with judicary independence


  Constitutional Reform Act 2003
• what is the Constitutional Reform Act 2003


  law that ensured separation of the judiciary by changing the name of the top appeal court from House of Lords to Supreme Court and moving this court into a separate building opposite Parliament.
• what change did the constitutional reform act 2003 make regarding 'law lords'?


  It transformed the 'Law Lords' into Supreme Court Justices, removing them from being members of the House of Lords.
• How does the Constitutional Reform Act 2003 ensure judges ignore outside influences?


  Judges are required to ignore pressure from Parliament, the public, and their own prejudices when making decision
• what act is involved in ensuring judges ignore outside influenced

  Constitutional Reform Act 2003, s.3
• what is security of tenure?


  It means judges cannot be sacked by the government for their decisions, except by superior authority.
• what does immunity from suit entail for judges?


  Judges cannot be sued or prosecuted for their decisions or comments
• what case establish immunity from suit

  Sirros v Moore
• how are judges salaries funded to maintain indepedence?


  Salaries are paid from the independent Consolidated Fund, removing the need for Parliament's authorisation.
• what is the principle of independence


  Judges cannot hear cases to which they have links,
• what case established the principle of independence


  Pinochet
• why is judicial independence needed 1

  
  

  what does it protect

  It protects individual liberty by preventing government abuse of power
• why is judicial independence needed 2

  
  

  what does it provide

  provides a route to challenge government actions