Mark Duggan case goes back to court – The Guardian

Posted July 9th, 2014 in appeals, coroners, firearms, inquests, juries, news by sally

‘The mother of Mark Duggan, whose fatal shooting by police in London sparked nationwide riots, is challenging an inquest verdict of lawful killing.’

Full story

The Guardian, 9th July 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Regina v Smith (Owen) – WLR Daily

Posted July 4th, 2014 in firearms, juries, law reports by tracey

Regina v Smith (Owen): [2014] WLR (D) 287

‘In a prosecution for an offence under section 16 of the Firearms Act 1968, of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life or to enable another person to endanger life, it was neither necessary nor appropriate in the ordinary way for the judge to direct the jury, on the question of intent, that the Crown had to prove to the satisfaction of the whole jury that it was the defendant or alternatively, another, who intended that life should be endangered; the intent was the same in each case.’

WLR Daily, 27th June 2014

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

Andy Coulson trial: jurors fail to reach verdicts on remaining charges – The Guardian

‘The trial of Andy Coulson has ended after the jury failed to reach majority verdicts on two remaining counts that he conspired to commit misconduct in public office by paying public officials for the acquisition of royal phone books.’

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The Guardian, 25th June 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Do not comment on hacking trial until all verdicts are in, judge tells MPs – Daily Telegraph

‘Politicians are warned by judge not to comment upon the outcome of the hacking trial until the jury has returned all its verdicts.’

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Daily Telegraph, 24th June 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Phone hacking trial: After eight months, jury today begins sifting the mountain of evidence – The Independent

‘They are the two words the jury in the phone hacking trial may have waited months to hear. At 3.15pm in court 12 of the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Saunders said: “And finally.”’

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The Independent, 12th June 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Michael Piggin trial collapses after jury fails to reach verdicts – The Guardian

Posted June 2nd, 2014 in explosives, firearms, juries, news, retrials, young offenders by sally

‘A teenager accused of plotting a Columbine-inspired massacre at his former school in Loughborough has walked free from court after the collapse of his second trial.’

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The Guardian, 30th May 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Juries need to be taught about the reality of rape, says DPP – The Independent

Posted May 7th, 2014 in evidence, judiciary, juries, news, rape by sally

‘Judges should warn juries about the common misconceptions people have about rape before they are allowed to hear any evidence, two of the leading figures in the fight against sex crime say today.’

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The Independent, 6th May 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Criminal Justice and Courts Bill – new criminal offences – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

‘Another year, and yet more criminal justice legislation. The Criminal Justice and Courts Bill 2013-14 is going through Parliament at the moment, and it will come as no surprise that it includes new criminal offences.’


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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 22nd April 2014

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Jurors face two-year jail sentence for researching cases on the internet – The Independent

Posted February 6th, 2014 in bills, contempt of court, crime, internet, juries, news by sally

‘Jurors who are found to be researching cases on the internet will be jailed for up to two years, under a new criminal offence announced today.’

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The Independent, 5th February 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Veil row woman admits witness intimidation – The Guardian

Posted January 31st, 2014 in court dress, human rights, intimidation, Islam, juries, news by sally

‘A Muslim woman who wore a full-face veil in court during her trial has admitted witness intimidation.’

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The Guardian, 30th January 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Judge warns jury of wrongful prejudice over defendant’s Muslim face veil – The Guardian

‘A judge warned a jury on Wednesday that it was wrong to be prejudiced against anyone because of their expression of religious faith, as a Muslim defendant prepared to go on trial wearing a full face veil.’

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The Guardian, 22nd January 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Peterborough sex attacks: Two men and three teens guilty – BBC News

Posted January 16th, 2014 in children, conspiracy, gangs, juries, news, rape, sexual grooming, sexual offences, young offenders by tracey

‘Two men and three teenage boys have been found guilty of a series of rapes and sexual assaults on young girls.
Zdeno Mirga, 18, Hassan Abdulla, 33, and three boys were convicted at the Old Bailey. The Crown Prosecution Service said it was one of the “worst cases” of child sex abuse it had seen.’

Full story

BBC News, 15th January 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Bias has ‘significant’ effect on verdicts, jury research says – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted January 10th, 2014 in bias, burden of proof, juries, news, verdicts by tracey

‘Jurors should be tested before trials to reduce the effect of prejudices on their understanding of the burden of proof, according to the authors of a study suggesting bias has a “significant” impact on verdicts.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 10th January 2014

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Juror reported rape after sitting through another trial – BBC News

Posted December 16th, 2013 in child abuse, juries, news, police, rape, sentencing, statistics, victims by sally

‘A man has been jailed for rape after his victim worked up the courage to tell police the day after serving on the jury of another abuse trial.’

Full story

BBC News, 13th December 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

In defence of the jury trial – Attorney General’s Office

Posted December 13th, 2013 in attorney general, juries, news, speeches, trials by sally

‘Speech on the jury system and the challenges it faces, given as part of Politeia’s justice series.’

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Attorney General’s Office, 12th December 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/ago

Contempt of court – controversial reforms seek to secure fair trials and freedom of speech – Legal Week

‘The Law Commission has produced its eagerly awaited report on juror misconduct and internet publications, following extensive consultation. The Commission had been urgently tasked with considering reform in this area, following a number of high-profile contempt cases involving errant jurors and eager publishers.’

Full story

Legal Week, 10th December 2013

Source: www.legalweek.com

Contempt of Court: Juror Misconduct and Internet Publications – Law Commission

Posted December 10th, 2013 in contempt of court, internet, juries, Law Commission, reports by tracey

‘In a report published today we make recommendations to reform elements of the law governing contempt of court.’

Full report

Law Commission, 9th December 2013

Source: www.justice.gov.uk/lawcommission

Jurors who search web during cases could be jailed under new proposals – The Guardian

‘Jurors should face up to two years in prison if they search the internet for information about cases beyond what is revealed in court, the Law Commission has recommended.’

Full story

The Guardian, 9th December 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

The Shortcomings of Computer-Generated Exhibits – Criminal Law and Justice Weekly

Posted December 9th, 2013 in computer programs, evidence, juries, news by sally

‘Guidelines should be given on the use of computer-generated exhibits, Dr Gareth Norris writes.’

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Criminal Law and Justice Weekly,

Source: www.criminallawandjustice.co.uk

Juror jailed for contempt for using internet takes case to Europe – BBC News

Posted December 5th, 2013 in appeals, contempt of court, human rights, imprisonment, internet, juries, news, sentencing by sally

‘A Luton juror, who was jailed for contempt of court after carrying out research on the internet during a trial, is taking her case to Europe.’

Full story

BBC News, 5th December 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk