Symister says changes to jury-selection methods would improve the administration of justice

The jury system is an important part of the administration of justice, and a local attorney wants to see changes in how persons are selected to sit on cases.

The main form of trial in Antigua and Barbuda is one in which a nine-member jury is empaneled to sit and hear evidence against an accused person. Persons can also opt for a trial by judge alone – although only certain cases are able to take this option.

Leon Chaku Symister says the questions that are put to persons before they are selected to sit on a jury need to be restructured. This, he said, would be to the benefit of the proper dispensation of justice. 

Symister says that certain probing questions to a juror could disqualify him or her from sitting on a case, thus eliminating any bias or prejudice to the accused.