Jurors offered 'virtual tour' of court

A cyberspace courtroom has been designed to allow jurors to take a "virtual tour" of a courtroom to prepare themselves for jury service.

Over 500,000 people are called up for jury service each year but few will have stepped inside a court before their first day in the jury box.

The cyberspace courtroom, which uses pictures, sound and text to guide jurors through the unfamiliar surroundings, aims to demystify the process.

Jury service can be a daunting experience, but is a vital part of our legal process

Home Office minister
Keith Bradley

Everyone called up for jury service will now receive a leaflet informing them about the website.

It has been developed by the government's Criminal Justice Integration Unit (CJIU), the Court Service, BT and communications firm Gallomanor.

Court Service chief executive Ian Magee said: "The virtual tour will help to demystify the process, providing jurors with a realistic walk-through of what jury service will be like."

Home Office minister Keith Bradley said: "Jury service can be a daunting experience, but is a vital part of our legal process.

Opting out

"Modernising the criminal justice system and making it more accessible to participants and the general public is a priority and the use of new technologies is playing a key part in this process."

A wide-ranging report on the criminal courts by Lord Justice Auld, published in October, recommended moves to stop so many middle class professionals opting out of jury service.

It also proposed removing defendants' right to choose to be tried by a jury, in "either way" cases such as burglary or theft, instead hearing them in a new type of court where magistrates sit with a district judge.

The virtual tour is at www.cjsonline.org