Lancaster University Law School seeks volunteer ‘jurors’ for mock criminal trials

There is a call out for jurors for mock criminal trials being held at Lancaster University from 24th November to 1st December.

A team of researchers at the university have asked members of the public to volunteer and apply to be part of the trial.

The mock trials will help establish how we can better understand how justice is administered in England and Wales, and will be involving a case of sexual offences.

The evidence will be presented by real prosecution and defence barristers with the witnesses having to testify whilst a real judge sees over the case.

Volunteers who take part will join a group of 11 other jurors to deliberate on the case and come to the decision of a guilty or not guilty verdict.

The researchers will also audio-record and analyse the jury’s decision.

The day will last from 9am to 4pm where the volunteers will be asked to complete a questionnaire at different times in the day.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided, and each mock juror will receive a gift voucher as a thank you for their time.

Dr. Siobhan Weare, from Lancaster University Law School who leads this project, funded by the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council explained that the trial is meant to achieve a “real life” impact.

She said: “As it currently stands, it is against the law for jurors to discuss what happened in the jury deliberation room. Therefore, it is often difficult to understand why jurors make the decisions that they do when we only get to hear their final verdict in a case.

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“By conducting this research, we hope to develop a greater understanding of the decisions that people make when they are acting as jurors in sexual offences cases.

“This is important given the impact that such cases, and their outcomes, have on both complainants and defendants. We are working in close partnership with justice organisations in carrying out this research in the hope that the findings will be able to directly inform the fair delivery of justice to those who are victimised and accused of crimes in England and Wales.”

More information on taking part in the mock trial can be found here.