Jury Directions

Project Status:

Tabled in parliament

Start Date:

01/01/2008

Tabled in Parliament Date:

29/07/2009

Reference

Jury trials lie at the centre of our criminal justice system, being an important way for citizens to participate in the governance of our society. But there was concern that the law in this area was too complex, causing miscommunication between judges and juries. Frequently judges’ directions to juries were found to be too technical, unclear or unhelpful.

In January 2008, the Attorney-General asked the Victorian Law Reform Commission to review and recommend changes to simplify, shorten or improve the directions given by judges to juries in criminal trials.

During the review, the Commission released a consultation paper in September 2008 and a background paper in December 2008, from which 18 submissions were received. A two-day symposium with other law reform commissions, judges and academics clarified the issues and informed the review.

The final report, tabled in Parliament on 29 July 2009, recommended significant legislative reforms to improve jury direction processes in criminal trials.

Voiced by Amazon Polly

Project Stage

  • Terms of reference received
  • Submissions and consultations
  • Submissions closed
  • Final Report
  • Tabled in parliament

Publications

Publication Date

29/07/2009

The final report, tabled in Parliament on 29 July 2009, recommended significant legislative reforms to improve jury direction processes in criminal trials. Read more