Howlin, NiamhNiamhHowlin2016-09-142016-09-142014 Taylo2014Journal of Legal Historyhttp://hdl.handle.net/10197/7930 What was the role played by jurors in civil and criminal trials from the late eighteenth to the late nineteenth century? This article establishes that during this period, juries in Ireland played a relatively active role. It examines individual reports of civil and criminal trials and considers the nature of juror participation during this period, establishing that jurors frequently questioned witnesses, berated counsel, interrupted judges, demanded better treatment and added their own observations to the proceedings. This article compares the nature and level of interaction from different categories of jury – civil and criminal, common and special. It asks why Irish jurors continued to be active participants until late in the nineteenth century, and how the bench and bar received their input. It also suggests that English jurors may have played a more active role during this period than previously thought. Finally, the article considers some possible reasons for the silencing of Irish jurors by the late nineteenth century.                         enThis is an electronic version of an article published in Journal of Legal History, 35(2): 143-171 (2014). Journal of Legal History is available online at: www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01440365.2014.925178.JuriesLegal historyIrish lawCriminal procedure19th centuryCivil procedureJournal Article35214317110.1080/01440365.2014.9251782016-07-28https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ie/