Cheatle v The Queen 1993 (HCA)

Question 1

Summary

Answer 1

The Cheatles were found guilty of conspiracy to defraud
the Commonwealth by a 12-person jury in South Australia.
The verdict was not unanimous.

Question 2

Relevant part of law

Answer 2

s80 of the Constitution requires unanimity in a jury’s verdict.

Question 3

Issue

Answer 3

The Cheatles appealed their conviction to the High Court on the ground that their verdict was not unanimous. The High Court agreed and allowed the appeal.

Question 4

Key Outcome

Answer 4

Must be a unanimous verdict for federal indictable offences.