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The Faculty of Law of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK LAW), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Bar Association (HKBA), recently hosted a landmark international symposium entitled “Jury on Trial: Critical Perspectives on the Future of Lay Decision-Making”. The hybrid event brought together members of the judiciary, leading practitioners, academics and students from around the world to examine the evolving legal, social and practical implications of jury trials across diverse common law and civil law jurisdictions.

Bridging common law tradition and comparative scholarship

In his welcoming address, Mr José-Antonio Maurellet SC, Chairman of the HKBA, highlighted the constitutional and historical significance of jury trials in Hong Kong, noting that the system is deeply rooted in the common law tradition and safeguarded by the Basic Law. He described jury trials as “the architecture of a mature legal order”, where judges determine questions of law while juries represent the community in deciding questions of fact. Emphasising the importance of public confidence to the administration of justice, Mr Maurellet observed that juries are impartial and representative of the people, and also be seen to be so, and referred to surveys in England and Wales demonstrating enduring public trust in trial by jury.

Framing the academic vision for the symposium, Professor Jeremy Dein KC and Professor Luke Marsh of CUHK LAW emphasised the importance of examining lay decision-making and evaluating jury systems through a rigorous, comparative global lens rather than in isolation. “Rather than defending or rejecting the jury system in the abstract, our goal was to examine lay participation through a truly comparative perspective,” said Professor Dein, Chair of the symposium. “By bringing together judicial leaders, practitioners and comparative scholars from both common law and civil law traditions, CUHK LAW provides an objective, world-class platform to explore the extent to which lay participation continues to enhance legitimacy, fairness and public confidence in criminal adjudication, as well as the circumstances in which alternative decision-making models may better serve contemporary criminal justice systems.”

Judicial insights and international perspectives

A centrepiece of the event was a key session by The Honourable Mr Justice Kevin Zervos JA of the Hong Kong Judiciary on “Jury Trial in Hong Kong: Local Perspectives and Contemporary Questions”. He provided valuable insights into the operation of Hong Kong’s jury system in both legal principle and judicial practice, offering reflections on its development, contemporary challenges and continuing role within the criminal justice system.

The symposium also featured distinguished international speakers, including His Honour Judge Richard Marks KC, Common Serjeant of London at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey). He observed that while the jury system remains a cornerstone of criminal justice in England and Wales, it faces increasing pressure arising from a significant case backlog and ongoing discussions regarding possible reforms. His presentation examined the tension between preserving traditional jury trials and addressing contemporary demands on the justice system.

The symposium further featured a distinguished panel of legal experts and scholars from Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Through a series of presentations and discussions, participants examined comparative approaches to jury systems, public participation in criminal justice and contemporary challenges facing criminal adjudication across jurisdictions. Speakers included:

• Mr Matt Radstone, 25 Bedford Row, London, UK;
• Mr S W Lee, HKBA;
• Professor Maria Del Mar Jimeno-Bulnes, University of Burgos, Spain;
• Professor Jacopo Della Torre, University of Genoa, Italy;
• Professor Mojca Plesničar, Institute of Criminology, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia; and
• Ms Esme Mukerjee, UK Bar Student.

Strengthening legal excellence in Hong Kong and beyond

The symposium highlighted the enduring importance of informed public participation in the administration of justice and the value of cross-border dialogue on the future of jury trials in an evolving legal landscape. Through the exchange of perspectives from different jurisdictions and legal traditions, participants engaged in thoughtful discussion on how criminal justice systems can balance legitimacy, efficiency and public confidence.

CUHK LAW is pleased to have partnered with the HKBA in organising this timely and thought-provoking initiative. The event underscores CUHK LAW’s ongoing commitment to advancing legal scholarship, fostering meaningful engagement between academia and the legal profession and providing a platform for informed discourse on key issues shaping the rule of law and the administration of justice in Hong Kong and beyond.