Unveiling the complexities of jurors in sexual assault trials

In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Naomi Neilson sits down with author Claire Baylis to delve into her thought-provoking book, Dice. Ms Baylis, who previously studied law and worked as a law academic, shifted her focus to fiction and legal research in Rotorua, where she became involved in the Trans-Tasman Jury Study, which forms the backdrop for her novel.

Dice revolves around a sexual assault crime committed by four boys who create a dangerous sex game based on the throw of a dice. The unique aspect of the book lies in its narration, as it is told through the perspectives of each of the 12 jurors. 

Ms Baylis joins the podcast to shed light on the complexities of sexual consent within legal settings, the impact of social media, the role of intoxication in trials, and the difficulties jurors face when dealing with sexual violence cases. 

The pair discuss the efficacy of adversarial trials, particularly in sensitive matters like sexual assault cases and explore whether alternative approaches might be more suitable for delivering justice in such instances.

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