A Citizens’ Jury is normally made up of 12-50 people called together to hear evidence and make a judgement on issues of a complex nature. They call and cross-examine witnesses, consider the evidence and then make a judgement.

The Jury has the opportunity to explore an issue or issues in detail and then make informed recommendations. Typically a citizens’ jury lasts between one and three days.

Two Citizens Juries were organised by the Leicestershire Rural Partnership. The first, held in 2001, focussed upon the needs of those living in rural areas and the second, in November 2002, looked at the aspirations of young people. Following the success of these juries, Leicestershire Together instigated two further juries in 2004 and 2005 – the Citizens Jury for Disabled People and Black and Minority Ethnic Citizens Jury.

The recommendations from all the juries had a big influence on our Community Strategy and LAA.