The pilot program will offer six free counselling sessions with specialist experts
Jurors in England and Wales who face mental and emotional distress after challenging trials will receive free counselling through a government pilot scheme, The Law Society Gazette reported.
This initiative by the Ministry of Justice is described as a significant step in providing support for jurors after intense trials. The program will offer six free counselling sessions with specialist experts and access to a 24/7 helpline providing advice, information, and triage support.
Beginning this summer, the pilot will span 15 Crown courts across England and Wales, including courts in London, Liverpool, Mold, Birmingham, Bristol, and Teesside. Justice Minister Mike Freer emphasized the crucial role of juries in the criminal justice system. “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,” Freer said.
The program is set to run for ten months, during which His Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service will evaluate effective ways to allocate resources for juror support. The objective is to ensure that those who dedicate their time to serving the criminal justice system receive the appropriate assistance.
Until now, jurors needing further help could only be directed to a general practitioner or the Samaritans, often leaving individuals feeling isolated following their service. The Ministry of Justice recognized this gap and highlighted the toll that distressing trials, such as the Lucy Letby trial, can take on jurors. The pilot aims to provide targeted support for those who have faced challenging cases involving murder, abuse, and cruelty.
By offering specialized counselling, the program will offer reassurance that jurors who hear distressing evidence will receive the support they need.
The Crown courts selected for the pilot include Leeds, Teesside, Liverpool, Carlisle, Mold, Oxford, Luton, Winchester, Bristol, Gloucester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Kingston Upon Thames, Central Criminal Court, and Snaresbrook.
