HC Deb 08 December 1961 vol 650 c191W
Mr. Rawlinson

asked the Attorney-General how many civil actions in the High Court were tried by a judge and jury and how many by a judge alone in the 12 months ending 1st October, 1961.

The Attorney-General

The figures for civil actions in the Queen's Bench Division in London and Middlesex in the 12 months ending 1st October, 1961, were: 23 tried by judge and jury and 752 by judge alone. Figures for trials at assizes for that period are not at present available. For the year 1960 the corresponding figures were: in London and Middlesex, 16 actions tried by judge and jury and 825 by judge alone, and at assizes 8 tried by judge and jury and 1,148 by judge alone.

Mr. Rawlinson

asked the Attorney General if he will introduce legislation to repeal Section 18 of the Juries Act, 1949, and re-establish the right of litigants to have civil issues tried by special juries with appropriate qualifications.

The Attorney-General

No. Cases in the commercial list can still be tried by a City of London special jury, but I do not think there is any need to re-introduce special juries in other civil cases.