British Citizenship Test

How many members are there in a jury in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland?

1. 10

2. 12

3. 14

4. 16

The correct answer is: 12

The correct answer is 12 members in a jury for trials in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This standard number of jurors is established by law and is designed to ensure that there is a diverse group of individuals evaluating the evidence of the case presented in court. Having 12 jurors helps in achieving a balanced perspective and reduces the risk of bias, as a larger group can deliberate more thoroughly and reach a more considered verdict. Jury trials date back many centuries in the UK, and the number of jurors has varied historically, but the current norm of 12 has been in place since the 19th century. This size is thought to provide a reasonable compromise between having enough opinions to ensure fairness, while also being manageable for cohesive deliberation. While there are certain circumstances, such as in specific types of cases or courts, where a different number might be used (like in smaller civil cases), the standard jury size for criminal trials remains 12.