Schrodinger’s Verdict – 25 Bedford Row
‘When can a jury be agreed and, at the same time, hung? This intriguing question is posed (and answered) by R (Yusuff) [2024] EWHC 692.’
25 Bedford Row, 28th March 2024
Source: www.25bedfordrow.com
‘When can a jury be agreed and, at the same time, hung? This intriguing question is posed (and answered) by R (Yusuff) [2024] EWHC 692.’
25 Bedford Row, 28th March 2024
Source: www.25bedfordrow.com
‘Lawyers for Letby will ask senior judges for permission to bring an appeal against all her convictions at the hearing in London provisionally listed for April 25, a judiciary spokeswoman confirmed on Friday [23rd February]’
The Independent, 23rd February 2024
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘A severe crackdown on environmental protest in Britain with “draconian” new laws, excessive restrictions on courtroom evidence and the use of civil injunctions is having a chilling impact on fundamental freedoms, the United Nations special rapporteur has said.’
The Guardian, 23rd January 2024
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The introduction of majority verdicts in criminal trials in England and Wales was partly motivated by a desire to dilute the influence of minority ethnic people and the labouring classes serving on juries, according to research.’
The Guardian, 24th January 2024
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The solicitor general taking action against a climate protester who held up a sign outside court raises a vital issue for criminal justice.’
The Guardian, 27th September 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Civil liberty campaigners have warned that the prosecution of a woman for holding up a placard about the rights of jurors outside a court is part of the government’s increasing attacks on the right to protest.’
The Guardian, 19th September 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A sexual assault trial in Sheffield has collapsed after a member of the jury fell asleep and missed “important evidence”, it has been reported.’
The Guardian, 21st August 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Leading lawyers have accused the government of undermining trial by jury after a climate activist was told she faces contempt proceedings over holding a sign outside court.’
The Guardian, 26th July 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Kevin Spacey wept and said he was humbled after being cleared of sexual assault in one of the UK’s most high-profile #MeToo trials.’
The Guardian, 26th July 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The jury in the trial of an asylum seeker accused of manslaughter over the deaths of four people who were in a small boat with him during his journey across the Channel has been discharged.’
The Guardian, 26th July 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘On Monday 19 June, the Ministry of Justice announced that it will be focusing on building trust between rape victims and the system – in order to reduce dropout rates before a trial.’
Each Other, 23rd June 2023
Source: eachother.org.uk
‘The Law Commission of England and Wales is considering whether juryless trials could help improve rape conviction rates. All rape and attempted rape trials in England and Wales are currently held before a jury of 12 people, who listen to the evidence and decide unanimously whether the accused is innocent or guilty.’
Each Other, 12th June 2023
Source: eachother.org.uk
‘An “unashamed and unrepentant” juror who spent two decades in the police has been jailed for six months after causing a rape trial to collapse by researching the defendant online.’
The Guardian, 25th May 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Non-jury trials will continue to be used in Northern Ireland, with the secretary of state saying the move is “regrettable” but necessary due to the security situation.’
BBC News, 25th April 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Over the period 2007 to 2021, the jury conviction rate for all rape charges stood at an average of 58%, with a high of 75% in 2021, according to new research published in the Criminal Law Review[1]. In 2007, the jury conviction rate was 55%. This research was commissioned by senior judiciary following public concerns that the jury conviction rates for rape were extremely low, and analysed 5,623,800 criminal charges from January 2007 to December 2021, not just including sexual offences.’
Pump Court Chambers, 9th March 2023
Source: www.pumpcourtchambers.com
‘A climate activist who allegedly held a sign outside court telling jurors they were entitled to find protesters not guilty based on their conscience may still face a criminal charge.’
The Guardian, 4th April 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Restrictions placed on non-violent climate protesters who have been tried in criminal courts were part of a “deeply concerning” “pincer movement” narrowing their rights to free expression, leading lawyers have told the Guardian.’
The Guardian, 8th March 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Three climate protesters who stopped traffic to bring rush hour chaos to the City of London face a possible retrial.’
The Guardian, 2nd March 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Juries in rape cases are more likely to convict than acquit a defendant, according to landmark research analysing nearly six million charges and every verdict reached between 2007 and 2021. The research, conducted by UCL’s Professor Cheryl Thomas, was commissioned by HM Judiciary after a petition was submitted to parliament calling for all jurors in rape trials to complete compulsory training about rape. The petition, signed by 16,445 people, stated that research showed jurors accepted commonly held rape myths, resulting in many incorrect not guilty verdicts.’
Law Society's Gazette, 21st February 2023
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk