GRAND JURIES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 210, 18 August 1933, Page 14

GRAND JURIES

BRITAIN ENDS THEM. July saw the last of British grand juries. For although the new Administration of Justice Act (which abolishes them) will not come into operation until the first day of September next, no assizes will be held between the end of the month and October, says the “Daily Mail.’’ Except for the vigorous protest of Mr Justice Avory and some of his judicial colleagues, thus passes, aiaiost unnoticed, another ancient institution. The grounds upon which the abolition ia sought to be justified are economy and the saving of grand jurors’ time. But a learned Judge recently pointed out that the only economy will be the saving of a few guests at the High Sheriff’s luncheon—to which the grand jurors were always invited—and a lew postage stamps in the dispatch of the precepts; while, on the other ground, so far as is known, no grand jury has ever made a presentment to the Judge suggesting their extinction. It is a centuries-old tribunal to which important duties have been assigned. No other body is to take its place. And, in future, instead of bills of indictment being signed by the foreman of the grand jury, that duty will be discharged by “the proper officer of the Court,” on the direction of the Judge or chairman of the Court. Another provision of the new Bill —it is expected to be an Act shortly—relates to common juries. And this is real reform urgently needed in the interests of long-suffering common and special jurors. After September 1, except in certain specified cases, it will be within the discretion of the Court or a Judge to determine whither or not an action shall be tried by a jury. This removes the power of one or other of the parties to haae a case tried by a jury, and will, it is believed, not only save the calling of jurors, but will contribute to a more speedy despatch of business in the Courts.