The court clerk: what they do behind every hearing
The court clerk rarely speaks for long, but hearings depend on the role. This guide explains the clerk's duties before, during and after a case, and how they differ by country.
Courtroom Procedure Guides
Courtroom procedure explained step by step, from jury selection and cross-examination to verdicts, mistrials and extradition, with comparisons across legal…
Cross-examination: what lawyers can and cannot ask in court
Cross-examination lets one side test the other's witnesses, but the questions are limited by rules of evidence and the judge's control. This guide explains what is allowed and what is not.
How a criminal trial begins: opening statements, first witness
A plain-English guide to the first stage of a criminal trial: how the jury is briefed, what an opening statement can and cannot do, and what happens when the first witness is called.
How a jury is chosen: methods in the US, England and Wales
Jury selection differs sharply between countries. This guide compares the American voir dire process with random selection in England and Wales, and looks at other systems.
How a jury verdict is delivered: unanimous and majority rules
A jury verdict can require every juror to agree or only most of them. This guide explains how unanimous and majority rules work and how a verdict is announced in court.
From arrest to trial: how a criminal case works in France
A plain-English guide to the French criminal process, from police custody and the investigating judge to the courts that try minor, mid-level and serious offences.