A blue ribbon jury is an exceptionally qualified group of individuals chosen to hear a trial. A blue ribbon jury typically consists of 12 people with a wide array of expertise in the legal field, business, and possibly other specific areas relevant to the trial. When a judge assigns a blue ribbon jury, it is usually to ensure that the jury is exceptionally knowledgeable about the particular areas of law relevant to the case at hand in order to make a correct and informed decision.
History and Usage of the Blue Ribbon Jury
The term ‘blue ribbon jury’ has been used since the mid 19th century to designate a group of exceptionally qualified individuals for a particular legal case. While the origins of the term remain unclear, it is believed it originated in England and was used as a symbol of honor – the blue ribbon representing the highest prized award. Over time the phrase has been used to denote a jury panel made up of highly specialized and qualified individuals.
Case Examples of Blue Ribbon Juries
The concept of a blue ribbon jury is often used in high profile cases that involve complex subjects, such as antitrust cases, patent infringement cases, and other cases that require a deep level of understanding of the legal implications surrounding the case. For example, in a major antitrust case between Apple and Epic Games, a blue ribbon jury was assigned to hear the case. The judge assigned Apple’s legal team and Epic’s legal team to come up with a list of individuals with a deep understanding of antitrust laws. The jury then heard the case and gave a ruling based on their profound knowledge of the applicable laws.
Benefits of a Blue Ribbon Jury
The primary benefit of a blue ribbon jury compared to a regular jury is that the special selection of individuals is likely to have a better collective understanding of the legal dynamics surrounding a case. The ability to choose experts from a wide variety of fields also allows for a trial to be heard by those who are knowledgeable in more specific areas that are relevant to the case. This leads to more accurate decisions on behalf of the jury.