Submitted by Andrew Duguid (not verified) on May 8, 2006 - 11:06.
I like the idea of the jury system - in fact have just been reading Saul and was tempted to propose it myself. There are practical problems - the level of literacy in techno-social areas may actually be less than in matters criminal for eg.
Definitional problems might come within the ambit of the jury. Or perhaps the institution could include functionaries such as the judge and the legal teams that provide argument and interpretation. Or indeed the jury could be empowered to seek or appoint advice and research within certain practical limitations - like seeking professional advice.
On a more timely note, the Senate enquiries actually seem to do this job - at least as well as the personnel of the Senate allow (up to the electorate; no excuses here). I seem to recall that part of the Howard agenda is to abolish or radically reduce the effectiveness of this practice.
The Jury System
I like the idea of the jury system - in fact have just been reading Saul and was tempted to propose it myself. There are practical problems - the level of literacy in techno-social areas may actually be less than in matters criminal for eg.
Definitional problems might come within the ambit of the jury. Or perhaps the institution could include functionaries such as the judge and the legal teams that provide argument and interpretation. Or indeed the jury could be empowered to seek or appoint advice and research within certain practical limitations - like seeking professional advice.
On a more timely note, the Senate enquiries actually seem to do this job - at least as well as the personnel of the Senate allow (up to the electorate; no excuses here). I seem to recall that part of the Howard agenda is to abolish or radically reduce the effectiveness of this practice.