Chapter 14

A sentence that follows a defendant’s conviction, but where punishment would be inappropriate. It allows the defendant to walk free from court, but, unlike an acquittal, the conviction is recorded. The discharge may be absolute, which means that no further action will be taken against the defendant, or conditional, which means that further action will be taken only if the defendant offends again within a specified time period.

A panel of lay members who have been randomly selected to sit in court to determine the findings of fact in the case laid before them. In criminal law, they come to a verdict on whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty. In civil law, they determine liability and the amount of damages to be awarded. Generally, juries sit in panels of 12.