Legal Definitions - jury direction

A jury direction, also known as a jury instruction, refers to the formal guidance provided by a judge to a jury at various stages of a trial, most notably before the jury begins its deliberations. These directions explain the relevant laws that apply to the specific case, outline the legal standards of proof, clarify the elements of the charges or claims, and instruct the jury on how to evaluate the evidence presented. The purpose is to ensure the jury understands its legal duties and applies the law correctly to the facts it determines from the evidence.

• Example 1 (Criminal Case - Elements of a Crime): In a criminal trial where a defendant is accused of assault, the judge would provide a jury direction explaining the precise legal definition of assault. This would include outlining the essential elements the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt, such as an intentional act that causes another person to reasonably fear immediate bodily harm. The judge would instruct the jury that if even one of these elements is not proven, they must find the defendant not guilty of assault.

  Explanation: This illustrates a jury direction because the judge is guiding the jury on the specific legal requirements (elements) for a particular crime, which they must apply to the facts they've heard during the trial.

• Example 2 (Civil Case - Standard of Proof): During a civil lawsuit concerning a personal injury claim after a car accident, the judge would give a jury direction on the standard of proof required. The judge would explain that the plaintiff must prove their case by a "preponderance of the evidence," meaning it is more likely than not that the defendant's negligence caused the plaintiff's injuries. This contrasts with the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard used in criminal cases. The judge would then instruct the jury to weigh the evidence and decide if the plaintiff has met this lower civil standard.

  Explanation: This demonstrates a jury direction as the judge is instructing the jury on the legal standard they must use to evaluate the evidence and reach a verdict in a civil matter, ensuring they apply the correct legal threshold.

• Example 3 (Procedural - Weighing Expert Testimony): In a complex medical malpractice trial where both sides presented expert witnesses with conflicting opinions, the judge might provide a jury direction on how to assess expert testimony. The judge would instruct the jury that they are not required to accept an expert's opinion simply because they are an expert, but should consider the expert's qualifications, the facts they relied upon, and the reasons for their opinion, just as they would with any other witness. The judge would clarify that the jury is ultimately responsible for deciding which expert testimony, if any, to believe.

  Explanation: This is a jury direction because the judge is guiding the jury on the legal principles and considerations for evaluating a specific type of evidence (expert testimony) to ensure a fair and legally sound determination of facts, rather than simply deferring to an expert.