Definition

1. Noun:
   • A special jury: A "blue ribbon jury" is a type of jury whose members are chosen specifically for their expertise, qualifications, or special knowledge relevant to the complex subject matter of a particular legal case.

Usage

• The term is used in legal contexts to describe a panel of jurors selected from a pool of citizens deemed to have above-average ability, education, or professional experience pertinent to a complex trial.
• It is often employed in cases involving intricate financial, technical, or scientific evidence where a standard jury might lack the necessary background to understand the issues fully.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The high-profile patent infringement case was heard by a blue ribbon jury of engineers and scientists.
  • The judge ordered the selection of a blue ribbon jury to ensure a fair trial on the complex antitrust allegations.

Advanced Usage

• The concept implies a selection process that goes beyond the standard random selection from voter or driver registration lists, aiming to impanel jurors with demonstrable competence in the case's subject area.
• Its use can be controversial, as it may be seen as compromising the principle of a "jury of one's peers" selected from a broad cross-section of the community.

Variants and Related Words

• Special jury: A near-synonymous term.
• Blue-ribbon panel/committee: A related phrase used outside legal contexts to describe a specially selected group of experts convened to study or decide on an important issue.

Synonyms

• Special jury
• Expert jury (though this is a descriptive term, not a formal legal one)

Notes on Meaning

• The "blue ribbon" metaphor signifies top quality or first prize, indicating the selected jurors are considered exceptionally qualified for the specific task.
• This type of jury is relatively rare and is typically authorized by statute or court order in jurisdictions that allow it, often for particularly complicated civil cases.

Noun

1. a jury whose members are selected for special knowledge for a case involving complicated issues