Jurors who have experienced mental and emotional strain following difficult cases will be entitled to free counselling under a government pilot scheme announced today.
The Ministry of Justice has described the scheme as an ‘important step’ in assessing how to support jurors. The pilot, described as the first of its kind, will provide specialist expert support for jurors who will be entitled to six free counselling sessions. A telephone helpline will also be available for ‘round-the-clock’ triage support, advice and information.
Due to start this summer, the pilot will be rolled out to 15 Crown courts in England and Wales. Among the regions selected for the scheme are London, Liverpool, Mold, Birmingham, Bristol and Teesside.
Justice minister Mike Freer MP said: ‘Juries are the cornerstone of the criminal justice system, and sitting on a trial is rightly regarded as the ultimate responsibility of an honest, law-abiding citizen. This pilot is an important step in assessing how we can best support jurors, who perform such a vital civic duty, often in complex, high-profile cases.’
The pilot will run for 10 months. His Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service will identify ‘how best to direct resources on an ongoing basis to support the jurors who give their time to serve the criminal justice system’.
Currently, jurors who do require further help can be signposted only to a GP or the Samaritans which the Ministry of Justice says, ‘can leave some to feel isolated following their civic duty’.
The announcement highlights the ‘mental and emotional strain’ jurors may experience after hearing distressing evidence, citing the Lucy Letby trial as an example. The pilot is designed to provide help for jurors particularly those involved in murder, abuse and cruelty cases.
It added: ‘Today’s news will provide further reassurance that those who hear distressing evidence of murder, abuse and cruelty will get the support they need, when they need it.’
