Chief Justice to consider Jury management procedures

Following the discharge of the jury in the trial of Helder Mendes Da Silva, GBC put questions to the Courts Service and No.6, asking whether steps are being considered to improve jury management and procedures.

The Courts Service said the process for the empanelment of juries is currently under review by the Chief Justice. They said five criminal jury trials were adjourned in the past year after juries were discharged, though a system like England and Wales would not have prevented every adjournment.

It said changes to jury management procedures are being considered, and Mr Justice Dudley is confident the measures expected to be implemented in the near future will go some way towards reducing the need for adjournments in certain cases.