Juries

Question 1

What age range must a person fall within to be eligible for jury service according to the Juries Act 1974?

Answer 1

18 to 75 years old

Question 2

What is one requirement for a person to be eligible for jury service?

Answer 2

Listed on the electoral register

Question 3

How long must a person have been a resident in the UK to qualify for jury service?

Answer 3

At least 5 years since their 13th birthday

Question 4

Name a group of people who cannot sit on a jury despite being eligible.

Answer 4

Mentally disordered people

Question 5

What type of previous convictions may disqualify a person from jury service?

Answer 5

Imprisonment for over five years or a temporary 10-year ban for lesser sentences

Question 6

Fill in the blank: A person may be considered ‘incapable’ for jury service if they have a _______.

Answer 6

[physical disability]

Question 7

Under what circumstances can a person be excused or have their jury service deferred?

Answer 7

If they have a ‘good reason’

Question 8

Give an example of a ‘good reason’ for deferring jury service.

Answer 8

Unable to get child care or having upcoming exams

Question 9

How are potential jurors selected for jury service?

Answer 9

Randomly by computer by the Central Juror Summoning Bureau

Question 10

What checks can be carried out on potential jurors?

Answer 10

Routine police checks and wider background checks with AG’s permission

Question 11

How many names are selected at random by the court clerk from the potential jurors?

Answer 11

12 out of 15

Question 12

What right do the defense and prosecution have before jurors are sworn in?

Answer 12

The right to challenge

Question 13

What is a challenge to the array?

Answer 13

A challenge made to the whole jury for being unrepresentative

Question 14

Provide an example case of a challenge to the array.

Answer 14

R V Fraser

Question 15

What is a challenge for cause?

Answer 15

A challenge made to an individual juror

Question 16

Give an example of a situation that may lead to a challenge for cause.

Answer 16

A juror knows someone involved in the case, as in R v Wilson and Sprason

Question 17

What can the prosecution ask regarding three jurors?

Answer 17

To ‘stand by for the crown’

Question 18

Is a reason needed for the prosecution to ask for jurors to ‘stand by for the crown’?

Answer 18

No reason is needed

Question 19

What must jurors do during the swearing-in process?

Answer 19

Take either an oath or affirmation

Question 20

What do jurors promise when they are sworn in?

Answer 20

To base their verdict only on the evidence in court

Question 21

What is the role of the jury in the Crown Court?

Answer 21

To decide the verdict based solely on evidence given in court

The jury must not be influenced by anything outside the courtroom.

Question 22

What types of offences are heard by a jury in the Crown Court?

Answer 22

Indictable offences and some triable either way offences

Examples include murder and theft.

Question 23

What must jurors do before deciding a verdict?

Answer 23

Swear an oath or affirmation to base their decision solely on evidence presented in court

Question 24

What was the significance of Attorney General v Dallas?

Answer 24

Established that researching a case is a crime for jurors

Mrs. Dallas received a prison sentence for doing so.

Question 25

What case established that a judge cannot influence a juror’s decision?

Answer 25

Bushell’s case

Question 26

What must jurors listen to during the trial?

Answer 26

The judge’s summary of the case and guidance on points of law

Question 27

How can jurors ask questions if they do not understand the law?

Answer 27

By passing a note to the usher to give to the judge

Question 28

What is a directed acquittal?

Answer 28

When the judge directs the jury to acquit the defendant due to insufficient evidence

Question 29

What does the Contempt of Court Act 1981 stipulate about jury discussions?

Answer 29

Jurors must not disclose any information discussed to anyone outside

Question 30

What is the role of the foreman/woman in the jury?

Answer 30

To control discussion in the jury room and read out the verdict in court

Question 31

What type of verdict is required initially from the jury?

Answer 31

A unanimous verdict (12-0 jurors agreed)

Question 32

After how many hours of deliberation can a legal majority verdict be accepted?

Answer 32

After 2 or more hours of deliberation

Question 33

What is the minimum number of jurors required for a legal majority?

Answer 33

At least 10 jurors agreed

Question 34

What happens if less than 10 jurors agree on a verdict?

Answer 34

It results in a hung jury and the defendant faces a retrial with a new jury

Example case: R v Jenkins.

Question 35

What does the Juries Act 1974 require regarding the foreman’s report?

Answer 35

The foreman must read out the number of jurors agreeing/disagreeing