A Level Law Practice Exam

In what situation can a jury deliver a majority verdict?

1. When there is doubt in the evidence presented

2. When fewer than 12 jurors are deciding

3. When there are conflicting statements

4. When they require more than 4 hours to deliberate

The correct answer is: When fewer than 12 jurors are deciding

A majority verdict can occur primarily in situations where fewer than the full complement of 12 jurors are present to reach a decision. Typically, in the UK, the law allows for a jury to return a majority verdict if there are fewer than 12 jurors deliberating on a case, specifically in circumstances where a jury has been reduced due to illness or other valid reasons. This is often enshrined in legislation such as the Juries Act, which allows for decisions to be made by 10 out of 12 jurors, or in some cases as few as 9 out of 12 depending on jurisdictional guidelines. The other choices generally do not pertain to the conditions under which a jury can deliver a majority verdict. Doubt in the evidence, conflicting statements, or the duration of deliberation time do not necessarily affect the mechanism of how verdicts are reached. These factors might influence the deliberation itself, but they do not serve as legal grounds for delivering a majority verdict. Instead, the focus is on the number of jurors present and their ability to come to a consensus under the legal provisions set forth in relevant statutes.