Hearing transcripts

Observations in court before jury panel is brought in

Lord Justice Scott Baker :

1. A jury panel has been summoned from which a jury of 11 will ultimately be selected. The potential jurors were summoned to Westminster Coroner’s Court of which, I am an assistant deputy Coroner for the purposes of these inquests. They were brought by coach from Horseferry Road to this building where the inquests are going to be heard.
2. What I propose to do now is to bring the jury panel in, in two groups, give a short explanation to them why they have been brought here in this way and what is expected of them and then give them a questionnaire to take away and complete the purpose of which is to ascertain those who for one reason or another should be excused jury service on this occasion.
3. I shall then divide the completed questionnaires into 3 groups, those who should be excused, those about whom I need further information and those who should remain on the panel for possible selection.
4. As to those from whom I need further information before deciding into which of the other categories they should be placed, I shall either obtain this through the Coroner’s officers who have been dealing with jury summoning, or my self in court.
5. I do not see any problems with those whom I excuse. If there are those who raise reasons for being excused that I am not inclined to accept I shall mention this to the IP’s before making a final decision.
6. Depending on the number remaining on the panel for service at the end of the exercise I shall require all or some of them to return on Tuesday Morning. If I decide the number is sufficiently large to discharge some of them today it will be done by ballot.
7. The reason that more than 11 will be required to return on Tuesday is so that they may have an opportunity between now and then to reflect on any reason they may have overlooked that would make it inappropriate or unduly burdensome for them or their families for them to serve.
8. Selection of the 11 on Tuesday will be by ballot.
9. I shall sit at 9.30 am on Tuesday for the jury to be sworn and the remaining members of the panel to be discharged. When the jury has been sworn on Tuesday I shall adjourn until not before 11 am for the jury to be familiarised with the administrative arrangements, including transport etc. The hearing will then begin.
10. I hope it is helpful to everybody to know these arrangements in advance.