Jury Specialists

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Jury duty: it's aptly named

Tony Blair and I were called up for jury service on the same week. He, being prime minister and perhaps because of the imminent arrival of Baby Leo, managed to be excused. I did not. Not that I wasn't encouraged to wriggle out of it. The instant reaction from colleagues and friends was that it was a bit of a joke. The summons looked severe, but could easily be kissed off with a strong letter on headed paper. "Just say it's inconvenient for work," said a friend. Except the truth was that it wasn't. As things stood, jury service arrived at a good time, and much to the amazement of everyone, not least my boss, I went along. Lord Justice Auld is conducting a review of the criminal justice system; with particular regard for juries. And it's not before time. Apparently he has found that juries...