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'Not on my watch': health emergency won't be used to abolish civil jury trials, judge says

Summary

In a remote hearing on 22 October 2020, Mr Justice Bernard Barton, who oversees High Court civil jury trials, said he intends to have such trials back in the New Year. He acknowledged that no civil jury trials will take place this year because of the Covid‑19 pandemic, noting that next February will mark a full 12 months since the last civil jury action was heard. The judge stressed that the international health emergency would not be used to abolish civil jury trials, adding "Not on my watch." He said all possible steps will be taken to resume jury trials when the next legal term begins in January, hoping to set aside three or possibly four weeks for them. He also noted that the court had offered parties the option of judge‑only trials this term, but Level 5 restrictions made that impossible, and only cases of extreme urgency could be heard before the next term.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Not on my watch': health emergency won't be used to abolish civil jury trials, judge says. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• New Year Other
• 2020-10-22 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

Read the original CNI report