Sir, Very little guidance is given to individual jurors about how to tackle their task (“When puzzles are more interesting than working out the truth”, Law, July 17).

I have served only once, but I would like to recommend the following to fellow jurors. Take the sheets of paper given out and divide each into three equal columns with two vertical lines. Write notes of the prosecution’s case, entering them into the first column on each page, but leave occasional gaps of a few lines down each page.

When the defence case is made, go back to sheet one and enter these notes in the far-right column, attempting to match the events in the narrative roughly opposite the same record across the page. This is when the gaps left earlier help, as each side of the case will emphasise different points, thus needing longer or shorter notes. When the judge sums up, start again on the first page but in the centre column.

In this way it is easier to keep track of what the judge thinks are significant points while at the same time being able to check those points readily from both prosecution and defence points of view. Note-taking like this not only helps to prevent boredom (and the resort to Su Doku or the filing of fingernails), but would become a readily accessible record in the jury room.

Charles Bazlinton
Alresford, Hants

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