House of Lords inquiry will examine juror wellbeing, support services and future improvements
Juror support inquiry has been launched by the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee to examine the impact of jury service and the support available to jurors in England and Wales.
The inquiry, titled Support for Jurors, has been opened alongside a call for evidence inviting individuals and organisations to share their experiences and views. The Committee is seeking submissions by 6 September 2026, with particular interest in hearing from people who have served on juries.
The inquiry comes as the Courts and Tribunals Bill continues its passage through Parliament. The Bill includes provisions aimed at reducing the number of jury trials in England and Wales, bringing increased attention to the role of juries within the justice system.
Each year, around 350,000 people are summoned at random from electoral registers to serve as jurors. While many complete their service and return to their everyday lives, some are required to hear evidence in difficult and traumatic cases. The Committee is examining whether the current level of support available adequately reflects the impact that jury service can have.
Research from Manchester Metropolitan University found that many jurors experienced emotional challenges during or after their service, while fewer than 10% accessed formal support from a health professional.
The Committee is seeking evidence on several areas, including the health and mental health impact of jury service, the support available before, during and after trials, and whether additional forms of assistance could be introduced.
It is also considering what responsibility the state has in relation to the wellbeing of jurors, who perform an essential role in the criminal justice system.
For solicitors involved in criminal proceedings, the inquiry highlights the importance of understanding the wider impact of jury trials on all participants, including those who serve as jurors. Any future recommendations could influence how support arrangements are structured around jury service and how the justice system addresses the experiences of those taking part in trials.
The Chair of the Justice and Home Affairs Committee, The Rt Hon. The Lord Foster of Bath, said that while significant attention has historically been given to victims, defendants, witnesses and legal professionals, the experiences of jurors have received less focus.
He said that many people value their time serving on juries and carry out their civic duty with distinction. However, he added that available research suggests a significant minority can find the experience deeply affecting, particularly when exposed to distressing evidence and circumstances during trials.
Lord Foster said the Committee’s inquiry aims to understand how jury service affects people and what support is available to those called upon to serve. He also encouraged former jurors to contribute evidence to help shape the Committee’s conclusions and recommendations.
Although the inquiry focuses on jurors in England and Wales, the Committee has also welcomed perspectives from Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Crown Dependencies and other common law jurisdictions.
The Committee will consider the evidence submitted before preparing its report on the support available to jurors and potential improvements for the future.