Two-thirds of jurors do not remember what judges tell them

London: Two-thirds of jurors do not fully understand a judge's legal directions, a government report claimed.

The two-year study also found that jury members looked on the internet for information about their case, despite being told not to by the judge.

It suggests all jurors should be given a card to carry throughout the trial clearly explaining their responsibilities.

Researchers analysed almost 70,000 trials, some of which were simulated.

In relation to a judge's directions — where crucial guidance is given to juries about what they have heard — the research team asked jurors at Winchester Crown Court to recall two key questions given in a case where a defendant was charged with violence.

Only 31 per cent of jurors accurately identified both questions. A further 48 per cent correctly identified one question, and a fifth did not correctly identify either question. Professor Cheryl Thomas of University College London, who led the study, said: "When jurors are only instructed orally by the judge about the law that they have to apply, they are much less likely to be able to recall the specific language that the judge used.

"We need to really focus on giving the jury the best tools to do that job and if that means using written legal instructions alongside oral instructions, then this is something that needs to be seriously considered."

Lord Justice Thomas, the judiciary's deputy head of criminal justice, said jurors could ask judges for advice.