NCJ Number
140449
Journal
International Journal of the Sociology of Law Volume: 20 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1992) Pages: 271-283
Date Published
1992
Length
13 pages
Annotation
In examining jury catchment areas in the legal system of England and Wales, the authors reveal certain problems in their administration.
Abstract
The procedure by which individual citizens are summoned to a particular court in England and Wales can be divided as follows: definition of the geographic area from which the court may call jurors (catchment area); preparation of electoral registers containing the names of those eligible to serve; communication of these registers to the jury summoning officer; selection and summoning individuals; and excusing individuals from service. Each local authority is required by the Juries Act of 1974 to supply copies of annually prepared electoral registers. Most catchment area boundaries follow those of local authorities, although some catchment areas serve several courts. The likelihood of being called for jury service varies according to locality. Data on jury service in 33 Crown Courts indicate large differences in the ratio between jurors and catchment area populations. The relation between jury population and verdict is examined, along with the communication of registers to jury summoning officers and the selection and summoning of individuals. 5 references, 5 notes, and 5 tables