Why Twelve Judges?

[Sellergarth]

In a case of forgery in 1827 an inconclusive verdict was given by the jury so the judge `reserved it for the opinion of the 12 judges`. Could anyone shed any light as to why Twelve Judges had to give a verdict? Thanks.

[Buenchico]

Quote:
"The twelve judges of England were the judges of the three great common law courts, King's Bench, Common Pleas and Exchequer, to whom difficult points of law or procedure which arose during a trial could be referred by the trial judge for resolution. It an informal procedure which had been in place for centuries, though in 1848 it would be regularised by statute, when the Court for Crown Cases Reserved, composed of the 12 judges, was created to perform the same function"

Source:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/soc.genealogy.britain/vX6iy3esjdQ

[Peter Pedant]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_for_Crown_Cases_Reserved

oddly enough there was a kinda silent reform of english common law 1835-1850 - grand juries ( juries of presentment went around 1835 - still there in america ) along with bills of indictment ( true bill - or a grand jury will indict a ham sandwich) -

since around 1600 - difficult cases were decided by the whole lot ( 12). whether statute can change common law springs to mind ( yes it can )

[Sellergarth]

Thanks Buenchico and Peter Pedant for taking the time to answer my question.