The merits and demerits of the jury system

Abstract

The Jury system is a subject of great controversy. It has been enthusiastically praised and vigorously criticised. Advocates of the jury system proudly refer to it as the democratic institution par excellence by means of which justice is ideally administered. Admirers of trial by jury were full of praise for the system. Lord Camden said (Trial by jury is indeed the foundation of our free constitution, take that away and the whole fabric will soon moulder into dust. These are the sentiments of my youth - inculcated by precept, improved by experience and warranted by example. However the jury system has in recent years come under severe attack and eminent critics consider this system as being out of date. They claim that in many ways .present day juries do not serve the true aims of justice.