Creating a trauma informed court system
Jurors can experience significant distress following exposure to harrowing evidence in court. Despite this, jurors in England and Wales receive no formal pre-trial preparation or post-trial support for the psychological toll jury duty can have. They are expected to return to work immediately after their trial and are banned for life from discussing deliberations.
In November, Manchester Met’s Dr Hannah Fawcett (Health and Education), with support from Conservative politician Baroness Berridge and Professor Noelle Robertson (University of Leicester), organised a seminar in the House of Lords exploring ways of better supporting jurors. Baroness Berridge has spoken publicly on the need to improve psychological support for jurors, and Dr Fawcett has conducted extensive research on juror wellbeing and decision-making. The session drew numerous key stakeholders, including legal professionals, those with lived experience of jury service, academics, and representatives from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS).
As part of the seminar, Manchester Met’s Dr Fawcett and Dr Matt Brooks (Health and Education) presented their research into vicarious trauma in jurors and outlined potential support provisions. Delegates also heard from those working in Scotland, Australia, and Canada; countries which have pioneered support for jurors, including the introduction of juror counselling helplines. Additionally, during the seminar, those with lived experience of serving on traumatic trials gave moving accounts of the subsequent impact on their lives.
Following the presentations, those in attendance discussed and agreed multiple actions to progress the issue. This included the introduction of a national juror appreciation day to raise awareness of the importance, and challenges, of being a juror, and normalise the need for employers to be supportive of staff undertaking jury duty. The group will also work towards implementing pre- and post-trial juror wellbeing support and guidance, as well as working alongside local MPs and APPG groups to further parliamentary attention on juror wellbeing and encourage policy change.
On the importance of the seminar, Dr Fawcett remarked:
“This event in the House of Lords was a crucial step in the journey of improving wellbeing support for jurors in England and Wales. Jurors are contributors to the criminal justice process yet preparation for, and support during and following this potentially traumatic and life-changing role is woefully lacking. We are proud to be pioneering research into the mental health needs of jurors and our collaborative event will help to create a fully trauma-informed criminal justice system.”
Reflecting on the next steps for this research, Dr Brooks remarked:
“The commitment to introducing a national juror appreciation day and the pursuit of pre- and post-trial juror wellbeing support reflects a shared commitment among key stakeholders to enhance support for those who play a crucial role in our justice system. The meeting marks the beginning of a vital conversation that will hopefully lead to tangible improvements in how we care for the mental health and wellbeing of jurors in England and Wales.”
To find out more about this research, please contact Dr Hannah Fawcett or Dr Matt Brooks.
