Pilot launching for free counselling sessions for jurors in Luton to deal with distressing cases
15 courts are trialling the scheme to help in distressing cases like that of child killer, Lucy Letby.
Counselling sessions are going to be offered to jurors who suffer mental and emotional strain in major trials.
A pilot in 15 courts across England and Wales - including in Luton - will run from this summer, to help people who do jury duty in distressing cases such as that of child serial killer Lucy Letby.
Currently, jurors who feel like they've been affected by what they've seen and been told in court are signposted to a GP and Samaritans - but the Ministry of Defence said this limited support can make some feel isolated.
As part of the pilot, people will be offered six free counselling sessions as well as access to a 24/7 telephone helpline for support, advice and information.
Justice minister Mike Freer said: "Juries are the cornerstone of the criminal justice system, and sitting on a trial is rightly regarded as the ultimate responsibility of an honest, law-abiding citizen.
"This pilot is an important step in assessing how we can best support jurors, who perform such a vital civic duty, often in complex, high-profile cases."
The pilot, funded by the Ministry of Justice, will run for 10 months in crown courts across Leeds, Teesside, Liverpool, Carlisle, Mold, Oxford, Luton, Winchester, Bristol, Gloucester, Nottingham, and Birmingham, as well as the Old Bailey, Snaresbrook, and Kingston Upon Thames crown courts in London.