Js Pros and Cons

• Advantages

  • public confidence
  • jury equity
  • secrecy
  • impartiality
• Disadvantages

  • perverse decisions
  • influence of technology
  • secrecy
  • bias
• ADVANTAGE

  P: public confidence

  E: ordinary people

  E: Law Society survey, 80%

  L: people agree with the system
• ADVANTAGE

  P: jury equity

  E: fairness

  E: R v Owen

  L: avoids absurdity
• ADVANTAGE

  P: secrecy

  E: no interference

  E: acquittal rates, 60%

  L: no pressure or fear
• ADVANTAGE

  P: impartiality

  E: no bias

  E: R v Wilson and Sprason

  L: decisions made on evidence
• DISADVANTAGE

  P: perverse decisions

  E: ignoring evidence

  E: R v Owen

  L: defeats purpose of jury
• DISADVANTAGE

  P: influence of technology

  E: accessible information

  E: AG v Dallas

  L: prejudice
• DISADVANTAGE

  P: secrecy

  E: decision-making unknown

  E: R v Young

  L: bad reasoning
• DISADVANTAGE

  P: bias

  E: prejudice

  E: Sanders v UK

  L: impacts right to fair trial