VocabuLaw

Juror

What is it and what does it mean?

Description of the legal term Juror:

A juror in British legal terminology refers to an individual who is part of a jury, which is a sworn body of people convened to render an impartial verdict (a finding of fact on a question) officially submitted to them by a court. Jurors are selected from the public and have a crucial role in ensuring that the legal process is carried out fairly and that the outcome of trials is just.

The jury system is a fundamental part of the British legal system, particularly within the Crown Court where serious criminal cases are tried, and in some civil cases. Jurors are tasked with evaluating the evidence presented in a case and determining whether, based on that evidence, the defendant is guilty or not guilty. In civil cases, they decide whether the claimant has proven their case and the extent of any damages to be awarded.

In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, jurors must be between the ages of 18 and 75 and must be registered electors. They are selected from the electoral register at random. It is a legal duty to serve as a juror when called upon unless one has a valid exemption or disqualification. Some of the reasons for being disqualified include having a criminal conviction or being mentally unfit.

The process of selection is designed to ensure that the jury is impartial. Before a trial begins, the court may vet jurors to avoid any conflicts of interest. During the trial, jurors are expected to listen carefully to the evidence, follow the judge’s instructions on the law, and not conduct any research outside of the courtroom.

The number of jurors in the UK varies: a standard jury consists of 12 jurors, but some juries can operate with a minimum of 9 members, if necessary, during the trial due to juror illness or other unforeseeable issues. The verdict in criminal cases must be unanimous, but if the jurors cannot agree, the judge may accept a majority decision.

Legal context in which the term Juror may be used:

Consider a high-profile burglary case where a professional footballer’s house was robbed while they were playing in an away match. The court has summoned a pool of potential jurors, from which a jury will be selected to determine the case’s outcome. During the selection process, individuals with a strong interest in football or those who show any signs of bias either against the footballer due to their celebrity status or against the accused due to prejudices are likely to be excluded. As the trial proceeds, the jurors will assess the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence, including any forensic evidence linking the accused to the crime scene, alibi witnesses, and any circumstantial evidence. It will then be the jury’s responsibility to deliberate and reach a verdict based on whether the prosecution has proved the accused’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

In another example, there is a defamation case where a public figure is suing a newspaper for alleged false statements they claim have damaged their reputation. The jurors in this civil trial will need to decide if the newspaper did make a false statement, whether it referred to the claimant, and if it was published to a third party causing serious harm to the claimant’s reputation. Besides, the jurors must consider if the newspaper has any viable defence, such as the statements being true or an honest opinion. On weighing the evidence and applying the relevant legal principles, the jury will decide on liability and may also award damages for any harm caused to the claimant’s reputation.

The role of a juror is a bedrock of British jurisprudence, serving to embody the democratic principle that one’s peers should judge legal disputes. It acts as a safeguard against arbitrary decision-making and ensures that the community plays a direct role in the administration of justice. This connection with ordinary citizens helps maintain public confidence in the legal system. The verdicts rendered by jurors hold significant weight and exemplify the collective conscience of society in the pursuit of justice.

This website is for informational purposes only and may contain inaccuracies. It should not be used as a substitute for professional legal advice.