This week a leading QC predicted the demise of the jury system. Louis Blom-Cooper, QC, said that looked at by outcomes, the system worked well: there was little difference in conviction rates between lay juries and professional tribunals. Why, then, change it? “It works,” he said.
But looking at how juries reach their verdicts was another matter. They gave no reasons; and as a result there was no proper appeals system, he said. And the jury “negates” the role of the judge. “Politically, there is no reason to change it. But that’s not to say it will remain. I think in ten to 20 years it will go, because the economy will demand it.”
Sir Louis was addressing a fundraising evening for Justice, the human