What was it about John Dyson that inspired his fellow jurors to chose him as their foreman at a London crown court earlier this month? Was it his clean-cut image? Or was it his natural air of authority?

None of the other 11 had any idea of his standing or title. They were unaware that in his day job he is known as Lord Justice Dyson and sits as a senior judge in the court of appeal. Nor did they know that he is the first judge to sit on a jury. Such is the power of English deference, perhaps, that in ignorance they turned to him anyway to represent them. And then they all, Lord Justice Dyson included, acquitted the accused.