People serving on juries in traumatic court cases could benefit from better access to therapy, according to a new evaluation of the Enhanced Support for Jurors pilot says a new study published in Counselling and Psychotherapy.1

Why support for jurors matters

In 2014, Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) research found a fourfold increase in signs of post post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among jurors following short-term exposure to murder case materials.

However, in England and Wales, jurors are not offered specialist wellbeing support before, during or after trials, with official support largely limited to signposting to the Samaritans and GPs.

Since then, MMU has campaigned, with our support, to ensure jurors can access specialist therapeutic support to help manage the emotional impact of the role.

Key findings

The pilot was commissioned by the Ministry of Justice and ran from October 2024 to March 2025 across 15 Crown Courts in England and Wales.

At the end of a trial, jurors were told they could access a Juror Assistance Programme (JAP) and a 24/7 counselling helpline offering tailored mental health support.

While uptake was low, those who did access counselling reported measurable improvements in their mental health. Court staff and jurors described the support as a valuable and long overdue addition to the justice system, with many reporting that jurors appeared reassured simply by knowing support was available if they needed it.

The evaluation also highlights that juror distress can show up in different ways, including anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, sleep issues and emotional strain, sometimes after the trial has finished.

Why uptake was low

Even though the support was well received, few jurors used it.

The evaluation points to several reasons for this, including stigma, timing, group dynamics and the fact that jurors had to refer themselves. Men were particularly less likely to engage.

In some courts, the way information was shared may also have affected awareness.

What could be improved

The report suggests several ways to strengthen support in future:

  • Better training for court staff
  • More time for staff to offer support alongside other duties
  • Clearer signposting in courts, including QR codes, texts and emails
  • Support offered during and after jury service, not just at the end
  • Longer access after trials, including follow-ups
  • More therapy options, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and online tools and group support
  • Third-party referrals (with consent) to make access easier

It also says any wider rollout should take into account differences between courts and keep jurors’ experiences at the centre.

Why access to therapy matters

Dr Lisa Morrison, our Director of Professional Standards, Policy and Research, said:

“While jury service is an important public duty, being exposed to distressing or traumatic evidence can have a significant impact on people’s mental health.

“This evaluation highlights why access to therapy and mental health support for jurors is so important, particularly for those involved in sensitive and emotionally challenging cases.

“Registered therapists have the training and expertise to help people process traumatic experiences safely, manage emotional distress and reduce the risk of longer-term mental health difficulties.

“We welcome the recognition that support for jurors needs to be strengthened and made easier to access before, during and after a trial.” ENDS

References

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References

The open access study ‘Developing Core Competences for Working Therapeutically With People With Dementia and Their Families’ was authored by Divine Charura, Sophie Jeffery, Yelena Mikhaylova-O'Connell, Esther Whittlesea Reed, Cara Gates, Warren James Donnellan, Heather Wilkinson, Jennifer O'Donnell, Sarah Butchard, Louis Stokes, Peter Ball, Alys Wyn Griffiths.