Part 7Trials on indictment without a jury
I144Application by prosecution for trial to be conducted without a jury where danger of jury tampering
1
This section applies where one or more defendants are to be tried on indictment for one or more offences.
2
The prosecution may apply to a judge of the Crown Court for the trial to be conducted without a jury.
3
If an application under subsection (2) is made and the judge is satisfied that both of the following two conditions are fulfilled, he must make an order that the trial is to be conducted without a jury; but if he is not so satisfied he must refuse the application.
4
The first condition is that there is evidence of a real and present danger that jury tampering would take place.
5
The second condition is that, notwithstanding any steps (including the provision of police protection) which might reasonably be taken to prevent jury tampering, the likelihood that it would take place would be so substantial as to make it necessary in the interests of justice for the trial to be conducted without a jury.
6
The following are examples of cases where there may be evidence of a real and present danger that jury tampering would take place—
a
a case where the trial is a retrial and the jury in the previous trial was discharged because jury tampering had taken place,
b
a case where jury tampering has taken place in previous criminal proceedings involving the defendant or any of the defendants,
c
a case where there has been intimidation, or attempted intimidation, of any person who is likely to be a witness in the trial.