The system of trial by jury in the UK has evolved over many centuries.
The jury system in England began in the late 12th century, in the reign of Henry II. At, or around this time, if you could get twelve witnesses to support your case then you were deemed not guilty. This morphed from twelve witnesses to twelve jurors
It is based on the concept that every citizen is entitled to be judged by a panel of 12 of their peers selected randomly from their community.
A trial is not, as many people believe, an objective enquiry into the truth. It is rather a battle between two sides, the prosecution and the defence; and to the victor the spoils!
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