UK climate activists fear case delays could cost them right to jury trial

Defendants worry that changes could remove chance of acquittal based on jurors’ consciences in defiance of the law

Climate activists fear that delays to their cases may mean they lose the right to a trial before jurors, who are typically more likely to acquit them than a judge.

Scores of defendants facing trials for protests as long ago as 2021 have had proceedings repeatedly postponed and worry that by the time their cases are heard, government changes limiting the right to jury trial may be in force.
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