New jury trials set to resume from next week

JURY trials in Wales and England will be resumed from next week, nearly two months after being put on hold amid coronavirus lockdown measures.

It was announced yesterday that the Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett has decided new jury trials will be allowed to go ahead in a few courts from next week – with special arrangements in place to maintain social distancing and other safety measures.

Lord Burnett said: “It is important that the administration of justice continues to function whenever it is possible in an environment which is consistent with the safety of all those involved.”

The announcement was made following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s address to the nation on Sunday, which outlined a gradual easing of the lockdown over the coming weeks and months.

All new jury trials were suspended on March 23 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and work has been under way since then to investigate options for conducting trials in a safe manner.

The announcement said the Lord Chief Justice continues to support the resumption of jury trials which had to be postponed due to the lockdown.

The first courts where new juries will be sworn in include Cardiff Crown Court and the Old Bailey in London.

Public Health England and Public Health Wales have been involved in the detailed arrangements following recommendations from the Jury Trials Working Group, chaired by Mr Justice Edis, which has representatives from the legal profession and across the criminal justice system.

Other courts around the country are being assessed with the aim of gradually increasing the number of cases when it is safe to do so, with the facilities at each location being “carefully considered” in line with safety guidelines.

The trials will go ahead with 12 jurors, despite earlier suggestions the number of jurors might be reduced.