Prince Andrew 'raises eyebrows' with request for jury trial

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Last night, it emerged the Duke of York was demanding a jury trial in his civil case with the 38-year-old American. Ms Giuffre is suing him for an unspecified amount for the damage she claims to have suffered. She alleges they had sex three times when she was a teenager and a minor under US law and had been trafficked by paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew has always vehemently denied all her accusations and insists he has “no recollection” of meeting her.

After the duke’s attempts to have her case dismissed by Lewis A Kaplan failed, his legal team appears to be changing tact, according to observers.

Speaking to the Mirror, Alan Collins, from the Cardiff-based law firm Hugh James, said the pair will want to paint one another in a “bad light” in a battle to “emotionally sway” jurors.

But Mr Collins warned that the decision to go to trial was “high risk” for both the Duke of York and Ms Giuffre.

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He added that it’s likely the legal teams on both sides have made a “tactical” decision in a bid to force the other party to settle.

Mr Collins, who previously represented many of Jimmy Savile’s victims, told The Mirror: “Both sides have asked for a jury trial. I assume (they) are doing so tactically thinking that the jury is more likely to be emotionally swayed than a judge.

“It is risky for both. A jury could take a dislike to them and not the other party. Virginia Giuffre might think a jury will be repulsed by the whole miserable and repulsive story and sympathise with her.

“Prince Andrew might fear ‘guilt’ by association with (Jeffrey) Epstein and (Ghislaine) Maxwell, and so will want to paint Ms Giuffre in a bad light.

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“It’s high risk for both and it’s probably tactical to force (the) other (side) to settle.”

Mr Collins said Prince Andrew will not be forced to travel to New York for the trial and could appear via video link.

He added: ” This is not a criminal case. It is not about guilt or innocence, although that is the subtext.

“It’s about whether Prince A did the wrongs complained of. If the jury find against him then the proverbial will hit the fan and goodness where that will take him.”

Mr Collins said Prince Andrew will not be forced to travel to New York for the trial and could appear via video link.

He added: “This is not a criminal case. It is not about guilt or innocence, although that is the subtext.

“It’s about whether Prince A did the wrongs complained of. If the jury find against him then the proverbial will hit the fan and goodness where that will take him.”

Mr Collins also shared his thoughts on why Prince Andrew’s legal team had put forward a ‘consent’ defence, despite the royal’s claims he did not have sex with Ms Giuffre.

It comes after Andrew’s legal team list “consent” and the “doctrine of unclean hands” – which is an allegation that Giuffre has acted unethically related to the accusations – among his defences.

“Giuffre’s alleged causes of action are barred in whole or in part by her own wrongful conduct,” they wrote.

Mr Collins said: “In criminal law children cannot consent to sex. In civil law it is a question of fact.

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