Jury Service - Coroner's Court
Discussion
Not quite sure where to put this post, but SPL seems most likely.
I have just been released from jury service at a Coroner’s Court and as there is very little info out there on what happens if you are called for jury service at an inquest, I thought I’d add my experience, then if someone happens to google Jury Service- Coroners court, they will get some answers as to what happens.
First – jury selection, in these COVID times the court was happy to go with 10 jurors, however 14 had been invited so the first thing that happens is jury selection. You are able to give a reason as to why you cannot complete your service, but it is up to the Coroner to determine if your reason is valid and then will prioritise who can be released. Believe it or not some people were more than happy to be selected (in fact most were).
Dress code – as a juror you can wear pretty much what you like, but you are in front of a grieving family so it would be better to be respectfully dressed, no baseball caps or ripped jeans.
Coroner’s jury service is different to Crown Court as you will only sit through one case, which will be over a longer period of time, possibly 2 weeks maybe more.
You’ll be given direction at the start of the inquiry by the Coroner as to the things that you will be asked to consider and make conclusions. It is not a criminal case although the outcome of what the jury conclude may lead to a criminal case in due course.
Essentially you will be asked to determine the facts leading up to the persons death and establishing if anything that the various agencies that had been in recent contact with the deceased, contributed to their death. Typically, you might hear evidence from Police, Mental Health Services, Ambulance Service, Doctors or Health and Safety Experts, Employers etc. The more complex the inquiry the more time it will take to complete.
As a juror you are encouraged to ask questions and will be given the opportunity after all the barristers have had their go with each witness. You will make notes to refer back to (you’ll need to do this as there may be some opposing or contradictory evidence.)
The coroner runs proceedings, swears people in and out of court and makes decisions on what is admissible and what questions can and can’t be asked. You will need to be respectful to them. (a female coroner is addressed as Madam in court)
The working day is generally 10-4, with breaks scheduled between witnesses so not necessarily at exactly 12.30 every day for lunch. Generally the sessions started about 20 mins late and finished anywhere from 3.30 to 4.45 across the time I was there.
You’ll meet some interesting people in the jury room, although I didn’t quite ascertain the protocols of FB friend making so I left this alone. You are required not to discuss any aspect of the inquiry with anyone else and even then you can only discuss the case with the whole jury team present.
In summary it is an interesting experience and if you are not going to be financially disadvantaged by attending I would suggest that it is your moral duty to attend.
I hope this helps anyone who googles for advice on what to expect.
I have just been released from jury service at a Coroner’s Court and as there is very little info out there on what happens if you are called for jury service at an inquest, I thought I’d add my experience, then if someone happens to google Jury Service- Coroners court, they will get some answers as to what happens.
First – jury selection, in these COVID times the court was happy to go with 10 jurors, however 14 had been invited so the first thing that happens is jury selection. You are able to give a reason as to why you cannot complete your service, but it is up to the Coroner to determine if your reason is valid and then will prioritise who can be released. Believe it or not some people were more than happy to be selected (in fact most were).
Dress code – as a juror you can wear pretty much what you like, but you are in front of a grieving family so it would be better to be respectfully dressed, no baseball caps or ripped jeans.
Coroner’s jury service is different to Crown Court as you will only sit through one case, which will be over a longer period of time, possibly 2 weeks maybe more.
You’ll be given direction at the start of the inquiry by the Coroner as to the things that you will be asked to consider and make conclusions. It is not a criminal case although the outcome of what the jury conclude may lead to a criminal case in due course.
Essentially you will be asked to determine the facts leading up to the persons death and establishing if anything that the various agencies that had been in recent contact with the deceased, contributed to their death. Typically, you might hear evidence from Police, Mental Health Services, Ambulance Service, Doctors or Health and Safety Experts, Employers etc. The more complex the inquiry the more time it will take to complete.
As a juror you are encouraged to ask questions and will be given the opportunity after all the barristers have had their go with each witness. You will make notes to refer back to (you’ll need to do this as there may be some opposing or contradictory evidence.)
The coroner runs proceedings, swears people in and out of court and makes decisions on what is admissible and what questions can and can’t be asked. You will need to be respectful to them. (a female coroner is addressed as Madam in court)
The working day is generally 10-4, with breaks scheduled between witnesses so not necessarily at exactly 12.30 every day for lunch. Generally the sessions started about 20 mins late and finished anywhere from 3.30 to 4.45 across the time I was there.
You’ll meet some interesting people in the jury room, although I didn’t quite ascertain the protocols of FB friend making so I left this alone. You are required not to discuss any aspect of the inquiry with anyone else and even then you can only discuss the case with the whole jury team present.
In summary it is an interesting experience and if you are not going to be financially disadvantaged by attending I would suggest that it is your moral duty to attend.
I hope this helps anyone who googles for advice on what to expect.
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