The Crown Court Study (Pt 1)

28 November 2025 / Michael Zander KC

Issue: 8141 / Categories: Features , Procedure & practice , In Court , Criminal

Three decades ago, Professor Michael Zander conducted a unique nationwide study of Crown Court cases. The study is now accessible online. He says the findings are still relevant today

Part 1 of this two-part series reports on the response to long questionnaires of all the participants,
The findings are an assessment of the work of the judges, prosecution and defence barristers, defence solicitors, CPS, police and jurors..

The Crown Court Study (CCS) (HMSO, 1993) was a very large research project I conducted while a member of the Runciman Royal Commission on Criminal Justice. No such study has ever been carried out in the courts of this country, or I imagine anywhere else. I believe that most of its findings are as relevant today as 30 years ago, but the study has been forgotten.

After all these years, the report of the study has been uploaded and is now accessible online: eprints.lse.ac.uk/129889/

The nature of the study

The CCS consisted of long questionnaires given to all

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The Crown Court Study (Pt 1)

Three decades ago, Professor Michael Zander conducted a unique nationwide study of Crown Court cases. The study is now accessible online. He says the findings are still relevant today

Part 1 of this two-part series reports on the response to long questionnaires of all the participants,
The findings are an assessment of the work of the judges, prosecution and defence barristers, defence solicitors, CPS, police and jurors..

After all these years, the report of the study has been uploaded and is now accessible online: eprints.lse.ac.uk/129889/

The nature of the study

The CCS consisted of long questionnaires given to all

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content

If you are already a subscriber sign in

...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

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The Crown Court Study (Pt 1)

The nature of the study

The nature of the study

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Muckle LLP—Rachael Chapman

Ellisons—Carla Jones

Freeths—Louise Mahon