There was a continuing duty on a trial judge to provide appropriate assistance to a jury in retirement, as well as during any other part of the trial. A judge was not restricted to responding to requests received from the jury, and from time to time, if a judge thought it fit, he was entitled to act on his own initiative by providing the jury with a brief summary of the salient features of the case. * Leave to appeal to the House of Lords granted.

CA (Crim Div) (Judge LJ)

13/05/1999