High Court upholds jury bungle

Four Adelaide men found guilty of manslaughter will not have to face new trials despite a bungle by the foreperson of the jury when the verdicts were delivered.

The Full Court of the Supreme Court overturned the verdicts and ordered a new trial when it emerged the jury foreperson incorrectly indicated that 10 or more of the 12 jurors had found the defendants not guilty of murder - necessary for a majority decision.

The four men appealed that decision to the High Court, which on Wednesday ruled the SA full court did not have the power to "look behind the verdicts" delivered by the jury.