A judge has ordered that a libel trial being brought by the bodyguard of Michael Jackson against Channel 4 is to be heard without a jury.
The controversial decision by Mr Justice Tugendhat comes just two weeks before the trial and has raised fears about the future of juries in libel cases. The trial involves allegations of dishonesty and fabrication by the programme makers and has already run up £3 million in legal costs.
But the late decision by the judge, who was concerned that a jury would add to the costs, has alarmed media lawyers. Matt Fiddes’s legal team has lodged an urgent appeal, to be heard early next week, which will be a test of the right to a jury in libel cases.
Mr Fiddes, a martial arts expert, is suing over a programme broadcast in November 2008 which he said included fabricated footage and false statements about him.
The programme, entitled The Jacksons are Coming, followed members of the family as they were planning to move to Devon.
Channel 4 has already tried unsuccessfully this year to obtain an injunction restricting reporting of parts of earlier hearings on the ground that it could influence a jury at the forthcoming trial.
When he dismissed the broadcaster’s application in February, Mr Justice Tugendhat said: “I must give the jury credit for [having the] ability to hear and understand and apply the directions of the trial judge ...”
But the judge has now granted a further application by Channel 4 and the programme makers for trial by judge alone. He was concerned that there was a written document and some footage that would require prolonged examination by the jury.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/b ... 144388.ece
Judge, no jury...
Judge, no jury...
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Judge, no jury...
I'm with Clarkson on this one, some trials should not have a jury.
Can you imagine a international tax avoidance scheme fraud with millions of of pounds and dollars at stake, being decided by some of the people you see at WalMart? The sort of people for whom The Jerry Springer Show is too intellectually challenging?
Juries are appropriate for some trials, but not all.
Discuss.
Can you imagine a international tax avoidance scheme fraud with millions of of pounds and dollars at stake, being decided by some of the people you see at WalMart? The sort of people for whom The Jerry Springer Show is too intellectually challenging?
Juries are appropriate for some trials, but not all.
Discuss.
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Judge, no jury...
This involves the Jacksons? ...then it's already a circus, no reasonable thought necessary.
Re: Judge, no jury...
Another reason for taking the jury out of it, they would be too tainted with tales, rumour, history etc of the Jacksons to make a reasoned judgment
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Judge, no jury...
I wonder how Micheal's kids are doing? You think they're used to having a black parent yet?