Australia The grand jury existed in New South Wales for a short period in the 1820s. The New South Wales Act 1823 (UK) enabled the establishment of quarter sessions, as a subsidiary court structure below that of the Supreme Court. Francis Forbes, Chief Justice, reasoned that this entailed the creation of quarter sessions as they existed in England. Thus, inadvertently, trial by jury and indictment by grand jury were introduced, but only for these subsidiary courts. Grand juries met in Sydney, Parramatta, Windsor and other places. This democratic method of trial proved very popular, but was resented by conservatives. Eventually, conservative elements in the colony were successful in having these innovations suppressed by the Australian Courts Act 1828 (UK). George Forbes, a member of the Legislative Council, unsuccessfully moved for the reintroduction of grand juries in 1858, but this was thwarted by the Attorney-General and the Chief Justice.
australia the grand jury existed in new south wales for a short period in the 1820s the new south wales act 1823 (uk) enabled the establishment of quarter sessions as a subsidiary court structure below that of the supreme court francis forbes chief justice reasoned that this entailed the creation of quarter sessions as they existed in england thus inadvertently trial by jury and indictment by grand jury were introduced but only for these subsidiary courts grand juries met in sydney parramatta windsor and other places this democratic method of trial proved very popular but was resented by conservatives eventually conservative elements in the colony were successful in having these innovations suppressed by the australian courts act 1828 (uk) george forbes a member of the legislative council unsuccessfully moved for the reintroduction of grand juries in 1858 but this was thwarted by the attorney-general and the chief justice