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Jury conscience, resolving conflicts in space, and the law of Treasure Trove in Scotland

Can juries acquit a defendant as a matter of conscience? Who has liability in outer space if one satellite damages another? And if you find treasure in Scotland, can you keep it?

Can juries acquit a defendant as a matter of conscience? For example, if people are accused of causing criminal damage as part of a protest, could the jury find them innocent despite the judge's directions? Joshua speaks to Clive Dolphin from Defend our Juries; Richard Vogler, Professor of Comparative Criminal Law & Criminal Justice, University of Sussex, and Tana Adkin KC, Chair of the Criminal Bar Association.

There are currently around 5000 active satellites in space and that's expected to rise to 100,000 by 2030. Satellites generate debris, too, and even a tiny fleck of paint can cause serious damage when colliding with something else, due to the speeds involved. But who is liable if one satellite damages another? Joshua asks Rachael O'Grady, Partner at Mayer Brown if international space law is keeping up with technology.

If you find treasure in Scotland, can you keep it and will the finder receive a reward for declaring it? We hear from Glasgow University student Lucy Ankers who discovered a hoard of coins thought to be linked to the 1692 Glencoe massacre and Bobby Sandeman, Chief Executive of King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg
Producers: Diane Richardson and Arlene Gregorius
Sound: Graham Puddifoot and James Beard
Editor: Carl Johnston

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29 minutes

Last on

Thu 16 Nov 2023 20:00

Broadcasts

  • Tue 14 Nov 2023 16:00
  • Thu 16 Nov 2023 20:00

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