CUHK Law and Bar Association Host International Symposium on Jury System
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
The Faculty of Law at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Hong Kong Bar Association co-hosted an international symposium on jury systems and public participation in judicial decision-making. The hybrid event gathered legal experts from multiple jurisdictions to examine the evolution, practical impacts, and challenges facing jury trials across common law and civil law systems. Key speakers highlighted the significance of Hong Kong's jury tradition, which has existed for over 180 years and is protected under the Basic Law .
Key Points
- The symposium, titled "Examining the Jury System: A Critical Exploration of the Future of Public Participation in Judicial Decision-Making," was held in a hybrid format combining online and in-person participation .
- Hong Kong Bar Association President Ronald Hee described the jury system as a vital component of mature legal systems, with judges deciding legal questions while juries determine factual matters, helping maintain public confidence in the judiciary .
- Jeremy Dein, symposium chairman and Honorary Visiting Professor at CUHK Faculty of Law, emphasized that the discussions aimed to understand how public participation enhances fairness and credibility in criminal trials .
- Richard Mark, a Standing Judge at the Central Criminal Court in London, England, addressed how jury systems in England and Wales face operational pressures amid case backlogs and ongoing reform discussions .
- CUHK Faculty of Law stated it will continue promoting relevant legal research and international academic exchanges in the future .
Why It Matters
The symposium's focus on balancing traditional trial values with modern judicial operational needs reflects ongoing discussions about legal system adaptability. For Hong Kong, where the jury system remains constitutionally protected, these international exchanges help inform how the jurisdiction can preserve public trust in its judiciary while addressing contemporary challenges .
The symposium's focus on balancing traditional trial values with modern judicial operational needs reflects ongoing discussions about legal system adaptability. For Hong Kong, where the jury system remains constitutionally protected, these international exchanges help inform how the jurisdiction can preserve public trust in its judiciary while addressing contemporary challenges .