(Juries) Advantages and Disadvantages

• Advantage: Public confidence.

  Considered a fundamental of a democratic society.
• Advantage: Jury equity.

  Juries don't have to follow precedent or Acts of Parliament. They can make decisions on principles of fairness.

  Ponting's case.
• Advantage: Open system.

  Justice is seen to be done. It makes the law clearer as points have to be explained to the jury.
• Advantage: Secrecy of the jury room.

  Free from pressure and protected from outside influences.
• Advantages: Impartiality.

  Not connected to anyone in the case and randomly selected.
• Disadvantages: Perverse decisions.

  R v Randle and Pottle
• Disadvantages: Secrecy.

  R v Young
• Disadvantages: Racial bias.

  Jurors can still have prejudices.

  Sander v UK.
• Disadvantages: Media influence.

  Jury is more likely to be influenced, especially in high-profile cases.

  R v Taylor and Taylor.