Psychologists spearhead Juror Appreciation Week, praising crucial yet under supported role

The vital yet underappreciated role of jurors is being highlighted by Manchester Met psychologists in an online campaign (#ThankAJuror) and an expert panel session on Thursday May 8 to mark Juror Appreciation Week 2025.

Leading juror wellbeing researchers, campaigners and policy makers will convene for a panel addressing the question ‘who’s taking care of our jurors?’ and exploring trauma-informed approaches within the legal system.

The session coincides with the second annual Juror Appreciation Week (May 5-11), a national event held to officially thank jurors for the part they play in the justice system, highlight the value of taking part in jury service, and call for specialist juror wellbeing support.

They follow recent Manchester Met research showing that PTSD symptoms rose four-fold in roleplay jurors after a mock murder trial, and last year’s Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) announcement of a therapy pilot to support jurors in 15 crown courts in England and Wales, which Manchester Met psychologists welcomed. 

Among the Manchester Met event speakers are Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology Dr Hannah Fawcett, CEO of the Canadian Juries Commission Mark Farrant, and Joe Ahearne, a former juror who will be sharing his personal experience of trauma after he served on a difficult case.

Also partnering with Manchester Met on Juror Appreciation Week are the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, British Psychological Society, and wellbeing provider CIC.

The organisations are jointly calling for policy reform to enable all jurors to access timely specialist mental health support. Around 350,000 people are called for jury service each year in England and Wales and since the targeted MoJ pilot concluded in March this year, jurors are offered no specialist wellbeing support either before, during or after trials.

As well as the panel event, a week-long social media campaign (#ThankAJuror) will be held to mark Juror Appreciation Week, with Manchester Met researchers also displaying posters across courts in England and Wales to publicly thank jurors.

Dr Hannah Fawcett said: “Jurors play a vital role in the criminal justice system and deserve to be honoured and appreciated for their hard work and dedication in creating a fair society for us all.

“Our ongoing research shows that jury service can involve immense psychological pressure and greatly exacerbate symptoms of PTSD. The MoJ’s pilot project is a positive first step in supporting those who have been affected by distressing cases. We would like to see that pilot extended so all jurors to have access to specialist support to help them manage the more challenging mental health aspects of the role.”

Former juror Joe Ahearne, who is speaking at the Manchester Met event, added: “Jury duty was one of the most difficult experiences of my life and there was no help to deal with it. I hope Juror Appreciation Week will start to change that.”

Ongoing Manchester Met research into juror wellbeing includes analysing the significant mental health implications on jurors of viewing distressing murder case evidence, and exploring how jurors can be best supported.

The researchers are using their findings to work with legal policy makers to ensure that trauma-informed practices can be adopted that support juror mental health.

President of the British Psychological Society, Dr Roman Raczka, added: “We want to see proper psychological support available during and after trials to ensure a better experience for all within the criminal justice system.”

An annual Jury Service Appreciation Week has been held in Canada and some US states for the last few years. Mark Farrant, CEO of the Canadian Juries Commission, said: “Jurors perform an enormous service on behalf of the justice system and the community. Without jurors there would be no justice.

“We are honoured to be participating in Juror Appreciation Week in the UK and send our deepest thanks to jurors past and present.”

Find out more about Juror Appreciation Week (May 5 – 11) here Courtroom Wellbeing Hub – Courtroom Wellbeing