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NLJ this week: A return to jury unanimity?

05 July 2024
Issue: 8078 / Categories: Legal News , In Court , Procedure & practice , Discrimination
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Juries capture the imaginations of film-makers and philosophers alike. What happens when prejudice creeps in? Can you guarantee fairness? What if a juror goes rogue?

In this week’s NLJ, Michael Zander KC reflects on a report that calls for the abolition of majority jury verdicts.

The report was published in May by APPEAL, the working name of the Centre for Criminal Appeals. Zander writes: ‘Their challenging thesis regarding the history is that the introduction of majority verdicts by Roy Jenkins in the Criminal Justice Act 1967 was classist and racist.’

In this fascinating article, Zander, emeritus professor, LSE, looks at the history and cultural landscape informing Jenkins’ introduction of majority verdicts. He considers whether he agrees or disagrees with the APPEAL report. Should there be a return to jury unanimity? Read Professor Zander’s verdict.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
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