Contemporary Challenges in the Jury System
A Comparative Perspective
Routledge Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Procedure Series

This collection explores a variety of issues facing contemporary juries, bringing together innovative research from different disciplines and jurisdictions. The debate stems from a real concern that criticism of the jury may lead to a loss of public confidence in the institution, and that this may renew Government efforts to further restrict the role of the jury in criminal proceedings in England and Wales. This work offers an interdisciplinary approach presenting insights from legal, psychological and criminological perspectives, thus bypassing traditional borders and presenting a cohesive view. Issues discussed reflect the rapid advances in technology, changing dynamics and behaviours in society, and challenges that have been aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Whilst the focus is primarily on juries in England, Wales, Scotland and across Ireland in terms of challenges and opportunities, the collection also invites a comparative perspective, drawing on experiences and related research in other jurisdictions. The book will be of interest to academics, researchers and policy-makers working in the areas of Criminal Law and Procedure, Criminal Justice, Criminology and Psychology.

1. Challenges facing contemporary jury trial; 2. Helping the jury to do their job; 3. When the Parties Call for Jury Nullification: a comparative analysis; 4. Reconsidering the position of jurors with specialist knowledge or expertise; 5. Remote justice: undermining trial by jury? Exploring the reasons for keeping the jury in the room; 6. Another Case of Hibernian Exceptionalism? Jury Trial in Ireland; 7. The Scottish Jury in the 21st Century: Challenges and Changes; 8. The Surprising Endurance of Trial by Jury: A Perspective from the United States; 9. Jury Trial in Japan: Third Time Lucky?; 10. (Un)reasonable beliefs: How rape myth beliefs impact (mock) juror decision-making in Northern Ireland and how potential bias might be lessened; 11. Jury Trials and Rape Myth Bias: Exploring the Research Evidence, Stakeholder Perspectives and Effective Solutions; 12. A critique of the experimental study of juror decision-making: challenges and recommendations

Nicola Monaghan is a Principal Lecturer in Law at the University of Worcester. She teaches Criminal Law and the Law of Evidence, and her research focuses on jury misconduct and how we might improve the jury trial in order to protect the institution of the jury.