An Oasis

Contempt of Court

Juror's flirtatious note for QC leads to fraudsters' appeal - on the basis that the forewoman had demonstrated a strong personal or emotional attachment to the lead counsel, which became evident after the trial. Jury deliberations are confidential under the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and the Appeal Judges will have to consider interviewing them to discover whether the emotional attachment of the jury's forewoman to Mr. Latham QC was a factor in their verdict.

The jury expert Professor John Spencer of Cambridge University said: "I believe this would be the first time jurors have been questioned on what has taken place in the jury room."

A hearing to decide whether to question the jury will be held in the next few weeks.

Mr. Latham, the QC who received Champagne and a note from the forewoman, immediately returned the gift and reported the matter to the trial judge, defence counsel and the serious fraud office.

Posted by Paul at January 19, 2004 12:00 AM |