juries

• In which court are juries used to decide guilt or innocence in criminal cases?

  Crown court
• What do juries represent in society?

  Society and democracy
• What document included the right to lawful judgment by peers?

  The Magna Carta
• What was established in Bushell’s case in 1670 regarding juries?

  Juries cannot be punished for their verdict
• What did R v Ponting (1985) establish about juries?

  Juries can acquit despite evidence of guilt
• What was the conclusion of the Auld review in 2001 regarding juries?

  Juries should not dismiss evidence or law
• What did R v Wang (2005) determine about jury verdicts?

  Judges cannot direct juries to a guilty verdict
• What is the significance of Bushell’s Case (1670) in terms of jury independence?

  It affirmed jurors' right to verdicts
• What happened in R v McKenna (1960) regarding jury pressure?

  A judge cannot pressure juries for quick verdicts
• What is the age range for juror qualifications?

  18-75 years old
• What is one requirement for being a juror in the UK?

  Must be on the electoral roll
• Who is permanently disqualified from serving as a juror?

  Mentally disordered individuals
• What are discretionary excusals for jurors?

  Excusals for sickness or other reasons
• Who were historically ineligible to serve as jurors?

  Barristers and solicitors
• What change occurred regarding police and lawyers serving on juries?

  Ineligibility was abolished for them
• What was the outcome of R v Abdoikov (2007) regarding perceived bias?

  Perceived bias can affect jury fairness
• What did the ECHR rule in Hanif + Khan v UK (2011) regarding police presence?

  It could breach the right to a fair trial
• What is required to change a jury date?

  A good excuse
• What are exceptional circumstances for being excused from jury duty?

  Serious illness or being a full-time carer
• How many jurors are summoned for each courtroom?

  15 jurors
• What checks are performed on jurors during selection?

  Routine police checks and background checks
• What disqualifies a juror from serving?

  Currently on bail or serious convictions
• What happens to jurors at court during selection?

  12 jurors are randomly selected from 15
• What is the process of jury challenging?

  Jurors can be challenged before being sworn in
• What is a challenge to the affray?

  Challenge of the whole panel for bias
• What does a challenge for cause entail?

  Jurors cannot continue if biased or unfair
• What is a standing by challenge?

  Rarely used for national security matters
• What did the Runciman Commission and Auld report argue about jury representation?

  Ethnic minorities should be better represented
• What was the outcome of Sander v UK (2000) regarding jury allegations?

  Judge should have discharged the jury
• What are the duties of a jury?

  • Listen to evidence
  • Acquit on the judge's direction
  • Try to reach a unanimous verdict
  • May produce a majority verdict if authorized
• What is a majority verdict in a jury trial?

  A verdict reached with less than full agreement
• What does jury secrecy entail?

  It is an offence to reveal jury room discussions
• What is the role of juries in civil cases?

  Decide liability and damages for claimants
• In which types of cases can juries sit in civil court?

  Fraud, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution
• What are the advantages of a jury trial?

  • Public confidence in the system
  • Less persecution-focused
  • Avoids harsh law influences
  • Important for democracy
  • Open justice system
  • Jury room secrecy
  • Representative of society
  • Impartial assessment of credibility
• What are the disadvantages of a jury trial?

  • Secrecy of proceedings
  • Influence of the internet
  • Potential for bias
  • Media influence on jurors
  • Lack of understanding of legal issues
  • Resentment towards jury duty