http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/scotland-s-unique-15-strong-juries-will-not-be-abolished-1-1037747This is a topic that fascinates me as I grew up in Edinburgh and prior to moving overseas had a number of professional and social connections in the legal fraternity.
It is a notoriously closed community which holds on to a lot of legal and social traditions for which, by members' own admission, there is often no basis - the jury set -up being one of these.
From what I have been given to understand for many years, there is absolutely no impetus from within the community for change as regards the controversial jury regulations, any more than there is any impetus for change in any other part of the legal system. Only a few individuals here and there are prepared to discuss openly the pros and cons.
As can be noted from the article above, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill states that the 8-7 situation obviates the need for excessive retrials, saving the country both time and money. This, he claims, is evidence of a 'pretty efficient system'.
A startling and unthinking admission by a government minister that the rights and needs of individuals at trial are sublimated to the demands of the Scottish Executive. What he has described is not efficiency but expediency - and that means a kangaroo court.