The Court

If you would like more information regarding jury service, click on the questions below.
 
  • Which trial will I serve on?
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    You won't know which trial you will be on until you have been sworn in. Even when you are taken up to a courtroom, you may not be selected for that case.

  • When will I be called to sit on a jury?
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    Trials sometimes take longer than expected or sometimes the case is not ready to go to court. Sometimes the defendant pleads guilty at the last minute so the trial does not go ahead. This makes it impossible to guarantee you will be called onto a jury quickly.

  • Why are more people taken up to court than sit on the jury?
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    This is to show the courtroom that the 12 people have been selected at random from the group. When a case is expected to go on for more than two weeks, a larger group of people will be taken up to court, as there will be some people who will be unable to serve on the jury for that long.

  • What if I'm asked to sit for longer than two weeks?
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    It is your public duty to do jury service and that can mean serving for more than 2 weeks. However there are reasons why some people aren't able to sit on long trials. The reasons can include being the sole carer for a child or elderly relative, being self employed, or if you have a holiday booked and already paid for. Before you are sworn in the judge will explain to you how long the trial is expected to take and if your name is called you can explain to the judge why you would not be able to serve on that trial. However, the judge may not accept your reason.

  • What if I recognise something about or someone involved in the case?
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    If at any point you recognise the defendant or anyone else involved in the trial, tell an usher at once by passing them a note. You should tell them even if you think it won't affect your judgement - if you are recognised by someone in the courtroom they may claim unfair trial and ask for you to be removed.

    In some cases, such as fraud, specific companies like banks, building societies or insurance companies are listed in the case. You will be asked to tell the judge if you, a family member or close friend has a connection with that company. If you do, you may be asked to step down from jury service on this case.

  • What is a challenge?
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    You or another member of your jury may be challenged by the prosecution or the defence. This is usually if someone in the courtroom recognises a juror. If the judge allows the challenge, you must leave the jury box. The court clerk will call someone else to take your place. A court official will take you back to the Jury Assembly Area with the people who were not chosen and you may be released for a trial in another courtroom.

  • Why do I have to swear an oath?
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    By swearing an oath you are making a legally binding commitment to do your best to fulfil the role of a juror and take an active role in delivering a fair verdict on the defendant.

  • How do I take an oath or an affirmation?
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    If you take an oath you will hold a holy book while you speak it. Oath cards and holy books are available for several religions. If you want to take the oath on a holy book other than the New Testament Bible please tell the court official as soon as you can. The official can then arrange to have that oath card and holy book ready for you.

    If you do not wish to take an oath on a holy book, you can ask to affirm. The words of the affirmation are very similar to an oath and carry equal meaning but you will not be asked to hold a holy book when you speak.

  • What are the words of the oaths and affirmations?
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    General Oath:

    • I swear by Almighty God that I will faithfully try the defendant and give a true verdict according to the evidence

    Islamic Oath

    • I swear by Allah that I will faithfully try the defendant and give a true verdict according to the evidence

    Oaths & Affirmations:

    • I, being one of the United Brethren called Moravians, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will faithfully try the defendant and give a true verdict according to the evidence
    • I, being one of the people called Quakers, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will faithfully try the defendants and give true verdicts according to the evidence
    • I swear by the Gita that I will faithfully try the defendant and give a true verdict according to the evidence
    • I swear by Waheguru that I will faithfully try the defendant and give a true verdict according to the evidence
    • Affirmation I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will faithfully try the defendant and give a true verdict according to the evidence
  • What is the jury box?
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    The jury box is the area where you and the rest of the jury sit during the trial. In some courts it is known as the jury bench.

  • Do I always have to sit in the same place?
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    Yes. Once you have been sworn onto a jury you must always sit in the same place in the jury box.

  • Am I allowed to take notes?
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    Yes. Paper and pens are provided for your use. These can only be used in the courtroom and you cannot take them home. You may take them into the jury room when you deliberate. At the end of the trial your notes will be destroyed.

  • What if I don't understand what's being said?
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    All the legal professionals know that the jury members are not familiar with what goes on inside the courtroom. They will make sure that they express everything in a way that you can understand since it is you who will be deciding the verdict on the case. If you have any problem, you may pass a note to the judge via the court clerk, or an usher to ask for clarification.

  • Why do the barristers and court officials bow to the judge when they enter the room?
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    They aren't bowing to the judge. They are bowing to the Queen's coat of arms above the judge, to show respect for the Queen's justice.

  • How do I know when to turn up?
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    The judge will instruct you at the end of each day when you should arrive for the following day. Sometimes the judge may call for a break in the trial to allow the defence or the prosecution to continue their preparations, so you may be asked to come back in two days time. Please remember what time you have been called for, and make sure the Jury Manager has a contact number for you just in case the time is changed.

  • If I get a day off, am I allowed to go back to work?
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    This will be at the Court's discretion. If you are allowed to return to work do not discuss the details of any trial with anyone - remember you will still be under oath, even when you are outside the courtroom.

  • What happens if I am concerned about the behaviour of another juror?
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    You might think a jury member is acting inappropriately. If you feel strongly about someone's behaviour you can notify the judge in writing via the court clerk or usher.

  • What if I feel unwell during my time on the jury?
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    If at any point you feel unwell, need to use the toilet or are distressed by the evidence, attract the attention of one of the court officials.

  • What if I don't feel well before I reach the court?
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    Please call your jury manager as soon as possible. In some cases the trial may have to be postponed for a day, but as delaying a trial is extremely costly, this should be avoided if possible.

  • How many trials will I sit on?
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    The majority of cases take 1 to 3 days, so it is likely you will sit on several trials over your two-week period.

  • What is the make-up of a Trial?
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    Introduction

    All criminal trials follow a similar pattern. A defendant or series of defendants will have been accused of a crime. They may be in custody (in prison) or they may be on bail. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty of the crime.

    Opening Statements

    The prosecution begin by outlining details of the case. They will read out the accusations by their legal definitions, and will then explain what each of these accusations means so you can understand them.

    Examination of witnesses

    Next, the prosecution call its witnesses and, just like the jury, all witnesses must swear to tell the truth. The witnesses are then questioned by the prosecution. This is called evidence in chief. When the prosecution is finished the defence have the opportunity to question each witness to find any weaknesses or contradictions in their evidence. This is cross-examination.

    When all the prosecution witnesses have been questioned, cross-examined and re-examined if necessary by the prosecution, it is the turn of the defence to put its case, if it wishes to do so. The defence can call its own witnesses who are, in turn, cross examined by the prosecution and, if necessary, re-examined by the defence.

    The judge may intervene at any time to prevent irrelevant questioning or argument, to protect witnesses, to clarify issues, or to keep the case within any agreed time scale.

    Trying a case is a complicated legal process. There will be times when the judge and advocates may need to discuss a point of law. The judge will ask the jury to leave the court for a short time. An usher will lead you out of the court to the waiting area outside. While you are out, the judge, prosecution and defence will discuss the legal implications of the point. Once it has been resolved you will be asked back.

    Closing Speeches

    When all the evidence has been given to the court, prosecution and defence advocates may make closing speeches. They will talk directly to the jury as they argue their respective cases.

    Summing up and direction by Judge

    The judge will then explain the law to the jury and summarise the facts of the case. The judge will give directions about the duties of the jury before you retire to consider the verdict.

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