A landmark case for the jury

New ground broken in the last week as a Crown Court judge dismissed a “nobbled” jury and convicted four defendants accused of benefit fraud to the tune of £112,000.

Recorder Caroline English sitting at Wood Green Crown Court became the first judge to make use of powers under s46 Criminal Justice Act 2003 to dismiss the jury where the judge is satisfied that jury tampering has taken place and that it is fair to continue without the jury.

The thin end of the wedge for jury trial, or a sensible way of avoiding the costs of a retrial? A good case to get students thinking about balancing liberty with other considerations, and the strengths and weaknesses of jury trial.

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