Question 1 of 9

You are representing Melanie who is due to be tried on an indictment containing two counts of handling stolen goods. The items in question were designer shoes that were alleged to have been stolen from ‘Pretty Feet’, a specialist boutique in Altrincham. As the third juror was about to be sworn, Melanie whispered to you that she believed that the juror was related to the owner of ‘Pretty Feet’. Which ONE of the following is the CORRECT course of action you should take?

A. A B. Wait until the juror has taken the oath and the jury empanelment completed then ask to raise a matter of law in the absence of the jury. You should then explain the problem to the Judge and ask that the juror be discharged. C. B D. Take no action as to the juror as the Defence no longer have the right of peremptory challenge. E. C F. Immediately before the juror takes the oath you should say ‘challenge’. You will then have to satisfy the Judge on the balance of probabilities that the juror is likely to be biased. G. D H. Take no action because the mere fact that the would-be juror might be related to the owner of the shop is insufficient to amount to a risk of bias.