AC3.2

Draw conclusions from information

Safe verdicts

A safe verdict is one that is reached on the basis of all the relevant facts and evidence after a fair trial. To achieve a safe verdict, two things are needed:

  1. The evidence must be admissible, reliable and credible, as well as sufficient to justify the verdict

  2. Court procedures must have been followed correctly during trial

Unsafe verdicts

The Court of Appeal can quash a conviction made by a jury in the Crown Court if is unsafe. Unsafe verdicts are usually called unsafe or wrongful convictions.

A verdict may be unsafe for various reasons such as:

  • Error of law by the judge when directing the jury

  • Bias by the judge in summing up

  • Judge has refused to allow the jury to consider a defence

  • Material irregularity during the trial such as jurors contacting witnesses or carrying out research outside of the courtroom

  • Evidence not disclosed to defence before trial

Read this plain text Daily Mail article first: Dando case verdict safe, appeal judges told.





Then read The Guardian article about the the appeal: Barry George cleared of Jill Dando murder after retrial

Then complete your study of this case in your work book.

The Stephen Downing Case - Unsafe verdict

Just verdict

A fair verdict based on legal rules and evidence available

Just sentencing

In order for a sentence to be considered just it needs to be neither too harsh nor too lenient. The Defendant can appeal against a sentence if it is too harsh. If the sentence is considered to be unduly lenient then the Attorney General can seek to appeal. Anyone can ask the Attorney General to review a sentence for certain types of crime.