In England on 26 January 1219 a royal order was issued to the king’s travelling justices, to
put into effect the decree of a Papal Council that had the effect of abolishing trial by ordeal.
The need for a new mode of trial in criminal cases ended up with the use of jury trial, for so
long a defining characteristic of English Common Law.
On 11 February 2019, at 7pm in the Arts Lecture Theatre, the Institute of Legal and
Constitutional Research will put the institution of the jury itself on trial, with a debate on the
motion ‘This house believes that jury trial remains a virtue of the Common Law.’
Speakers will include the barrister, broadcaster and writer Harry Potter.
The event is open to the public.
7 pm on 11 February 2019 (Arts Lecture Theatre)