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Juries Act 1974

Current text a fecha 2005-04-01

Qualification for jury service

1

Summoning

2

For the purposes of section 7 of the Interpretation Act 1978 (presumption as to receipt of letter properly addressed and sent by post) the notice shall be regarded as properly addressed if the address is that shown in the electoral register, and a notice so addressed, and delivered by hand to that address, shall be deemed to have been delivered personally to the person to whom it is addressed unless the contrary is proved.

and where a person is summoned under subsection (4) above or under section 6 of this Act, the appropriate officer may at any time put or cause to be put to him such questions as the officer thinks fit in order to establish whether or not the person is qualified for jury service.

Electoral register as basis of jury selection

3

Withdrawal or alteration of summons

4

If it appears to the appropriate officer, at any time before the day on which any person summoned under section 2 of this Act is first to attend, that his attendance is unnecessary, or can be dispensed with on any particular day or days, the appropriate officer may withdraw or alter the summons by notice served in the same way as a notice of summons.

Panels

5

Summoning in exceptional circumstances

6

Attendance and service

7

Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person summoned under this Act shall attend for so many days as may be directed by the summons or by the appropriate officer, and shall be liable to serve on any jury (in the Crown Court or the High Court or any county court) at the place to which he is summoned, or in the vicinity.

Excusal for previous jury service

8

the officer or court shall excuse him from attending, or further attending, in pursuance of the summons.

Excusal for certain persons and discretionary excusal

9

Discharge of summons in case of doubt as to capacity to act effectively as a juror

10

Where it appears to the appropriate officer, in the case of a person attending in pursuance of a summons under this Act, that on account of . . . insufficient understanding of English there is doubt as to his capacity to act effectively as a juror, the person may be brought before the judge, who shall determine whether or not he should act as a juror and, if not, shall discharge the summons; and for this purpose “the judge” means any judge of the High Court or any Circuit judge or Recorder.

The ballot and swearing of jurors

11

Challenge

12

Separation

13

If, on the trial of any person for an offence on indictment, the court thinks fit, it may at any time (whether before or after the jury have been directed to consider their verdict) permit the jury to separate.

Views

14

Criminal Procedure Rules and Civil Procedure Rules may make provision as respects views by jurors, and the places to which a juror may be called on to go to view shall not be restricted to any particular county or other area.

Refreshment

15

Jurors, after being sworn, may, in the discretion of the court, be allowed reasonable refreshment at their own expense.

Continuation of criminal trial on death or discharge of a juror

16

Majority verdicts

17

Judgments: stay or reversal

18

Payment for jury service

19

Offences

20

he shall be liable to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than level 5 on the standard scale in the case of an offence of serving on a jury when disqualified and, in any other case, a fine of not more than level 3 on the standard scale.

Supplemental

21

Consequential amendments, savings and repeals

22

Short title, interpretation, commencement and extent

23

SCHEDULE 1

Part I — Persons Ineligible

GROUP A — The Judiciary

GROUP B — Others concerned with administration of justice

GROUP C — The clergy, etc.

GROUP D — The mentally ill

Part II — PERSONS DISQUALIFIED

Part III — PERSONS EXCUSABLE AS OF RIGHT

Parliament

The Forces

Medical and other similar professions

The following, if actually practising their profession and registered (including provisionally or temporarily registered), enrolled or certified under the enactments relating to that profession—

SCHEDULE 2

In the Coroners Act 1887—

SCHEDULE 3

Summoning.

9A
9AA
9B

The ballot and swearing of jurors.

Group A

The Judiciary

Holders of high judicial office within the meaning of the Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1876.

Group B

Others concerned with administration of justice

Barristers and solicitors, whether or not in actual practice as such.

Any person who is not a barrister or solicitor but who is an authorised advocate or authorised litigator (as defined by section 119(1) of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990) and—

who is employed by such an authorised advocate or authorised litigator.

Solicitors’ articled clerks.

Barristers’ clerks and their assistants.

Legal executives in the employment of solicitors.Public Notaries

The Director of Public Prosecutions and members of his staff.

Officers employed under the Lord Chancellor and concerned wholly or mainly with the day-to-day administration of the legal system or any part of it.

Officers and staff of any court, if their work is wholly or mainly concerned with the day-to-day administration of the court.

Coroners, deputy coroners and assistant coroners.

Justices’ chief executives, justices’ clerks and justices’ clerks’ assistants..

. . .

Active Elder Brethren of the Corporation of Trinity House of Deptford Strond.

A shorthandwriter in any court.

A court security officer within the meaning of Part IV of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

Governors, chaplains, medical officers and other officers of penal establishments; members of boards of visitors for penal establishments.

(“Penal establishment” for this purpose means any establishment regulated by the Prison Act 1952).

Prisoner custody officers within the meaning of Part IV of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

Custody officers within the meaning of Part I of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994

The warden or a member of the staff of a . . ., probation hostel or bail hostel . . ..

The warden or a member of the staff of approved premises (within the meaning of Part I of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000)

,

Probation officers and persons appointed to assist them.

The chief officer and members of the staff of a local probation board established under section 4 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000.

Any person who performs the functions of a chief officer of a local probation board in accordance with a management order made under section 10 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000.

Any person who performs the functions of an officer of a local probation board under section 5(2) of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000

.

Members of the Parole Board; members of local review committees established under the Criminal Justice Act 1967

Members and employees of the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Chairman and members of the Independent Police Complaints Commission and any member of its staff who is not otherwise ineligible.

A member of any police force (including a person on relevant service within paragraph (b), (c) or (d) of section 97(1) of the Police Act 1996); special constables; a member of any constabulary maintained under statute; a person employed in any capacity by virtue of which he has the powers and privileges of a constable.

A member of a police authority within the meaning of the Police Act 1996; a member of any body (corporate or other) with responsibility for appointing members of a constabulary maintained under statute.

Inspectors of Constabulary appointed by Her Majesty: assistant inspectors of constabulary appointed by the Secretary of State.

Civilians employed for police purposes undersection 15 of the Police Act 1996 ; members of the metropolitan civil staffs within the meaning of section 15 of the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1967 (persons employed under the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, Inner London justices’ clerks, etc.).

A person in charge of, or employed in, any forensic science laboratory.

A person who at any time within the last ten years has been a person falling within any description specified above in this Group.

Group C

The clergy, etc.

A man in holy orders.

Group D

Mentally disordered persons

A person who suffers or has suffered from mental illness, psychopathic disorder, mental handicap or severe mental handicap and on account of that condition either—

A person for the time being in guardianship under section 7 of the Mental Health Act 1983. A person who, under Part VII of that Act, has been determined by a judge to be incapable, by reason of mental disorder, of managing and administering his property and affairs. (In this Group—

A person who has at any time been sentenced in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man—

A person who at any time in the last ten years has, in the United Kingdom or the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man—

A person who at any time in the last five years has, in the United Kingdom or the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, had made in respect of him a probation order.

General

Persons more than sixty-five years of age.

Scottish Parliament and Scottish Executive

European Parliament

Members of the European Parliament.

National Assembly for Wales

Members of the National Assembly for Wales.

Public Officials

Members of certain religious bodies

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Editorial notes

[^c857231]: Act wholly in force at 9. 8. 1974 see s. 23(3)

[^c857241]: Act amended by S.I. 1986/1081, regs. 2, 51(6)

[^c857251]: By Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s. 101(1), Sch. 12 para. 23; S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(1), Sch.1 it is provided (14.10.1991) that in relation to any time before the commencement of s.70 of that 1991 Act (which came into force on 1.10.1992 by S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2) references in any enactment amended by that 1991 Act, to youth courts shall be construed as references to juvenile courts.

[^c20887391]: S. 1 substituted (5.4.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 321, 336, Sch. 33 para. 2; S.I. 2004/829, art. 2(1)(2)(g) (with art. 2(4))

[^c857311]: S. 2: reference to the register of parliamentary and local government electors to be construed as mentioned in Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2, SIF 42), ss. 205, 206, Sch. 7 para. 10

[^c857321]: S. 2 modified (31.8.1999) by S.I. 1999/2128, art. 3(2).

[^c857331]: Words substituted by virtue of Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30), s. 17(2)

[^c857341]: 1978 c. 30.

[^c20887411]: Word in s. 2(5)(a) repealed (5.4.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 332, 336, Sch. 37 Pt. 10; S.I. 2004/829, art. 2(1)(2)(l)(iv)

[^c857351]: Words substituted by Administration of Justice Act 1982 (c. 53, SIF 37), s. 61(a)

[^c857361]: Words inserted by Administration of Justice Act 1982 (c. 53, SIF 37), s. 61(b)

[^c857371]: S. 3(1): references to the register of parliamentary and local government electors in each place where occurring to be construed as mentioned in Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2, SIF 42), ss 205, 206, Sch. 7 para. 10

[^c857381]: Words substituted by Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2, SIF 42), s. 206, Sch. 8 para. 17

[^c857391]: Word substituted by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), ss. 123(6), 170(1), Sch. 8 para. 16, Sch. 15 para. 44

[^c857401]: S. 3(2): reference to the register of parliamentary and local government electors to be construed as mentioned in Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2, SIF 42), ss. 205, 206, Sch. 7 para. 10

[^c857411]: 1957 c. x.

[^c857421]: S. 3(3) repealed by Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2, SIF 42), s. 206, Sch. 9 Pt. II

[^c857431]: Word substituted by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), ss. 123(6), 170(1), Sch. 8 para. 16, Sch. 15 para. 45

[^c857441]: 1971 c. 23.

[^c20887571]: S. 9(1) repealed (5.4.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 321, 332, 336, Sch. 33 para. 3, Sch. 37 Pt. 10; S.I. 2004/829, art. 2(1)(2)(g)(l)(iv)

[^c20887601]: Words in s. 9(2) inserted (5.4.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 321, 336, Sch. 33 para. 4; S.I. 2004/829, art. 2(1)(2)(g)

[^c20887621]: Words in s. 9(2) repealed (5.4.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 332, 336, Sch. 37 Pt. 10; S.I. 2004/829, art. 2(1)(2)(l)(iv)

[^c20887631]: S. 9(2A)(2B) inserted (5.4.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 321, 336, Sch. 33 para. 5; S.I. 2004/829, art. 2(1)(2)(g)

[^c20887671]: Words in s. 9(3) substituted (1.9.2004) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 172(a); S.I. 2004/2066, art. 2(c)(viii) (with art. 3)

[^c20887651]: Words in s. 9(3) inserted (5.4.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 321, 336, Sch. 33 para. 6; S.I. 2004/829, art. 2(1)(2)(g)

[^c857271]: S. 9A inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), ss. 120, 123(6), Sch. 8 para. 16

[^c20887691]: Words in s. 9A(1) inserted (5.4.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 321, 336, Sch. 33 para. 7; S.I. 2004/829, art. 2(1)(2)(g)

[^c20888731]: S. 9A(1A)-(1C) inserted (5.4.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 321, 336, Sch. 33 para. 8; S.I. 2004/829, art. 2(1)(2)(g)

[^c20888841]: S. 9A(2) substituted (5.4.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 321, 336, Sch. 33 para. 9; S.I. 2004/829, art. 2(1)(2)(g)

[^c20888861]: S. 9A(2A)(2B) inserted (5.4.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 321, 336, Sch. 33 para. 10; S.I. 2004/829, art. 2(1)(2)(g)

[^c20888971]: Words in s. 9A(3) substituted (1.9.2004) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 172(b); S.I. 2004/2066, art. 2(c)(viii) (with art. 3)

[^c20888911]: Words in s. 9A(3) inserted (5.4.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 321, 336, Sch. 33 para. 11; S.I. 2004/829, art. 2(1)(2)(g)

[^c857481]: S. 9B added (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 41; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

[^c857491]: Words in s. 10 repealed (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 168(3), Sch. 11; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1, Appendix C

[^c20890091]: S. 11(5)(b) repealed (31.3.2005) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28), ss. 58(1)(2), 60, Sch. 10 para. 8(2), Sch. 11 (with Sch. 12 para. 8); S.I. 2005/579, art. 3(g)(i)(iv)

[^c20890131]: Word in s. 11(6) repealed (31.3.2005) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28), ss. 58(1)(2), 60, Sch. 10 para. 8(3), Sch. 11 (with Sch. 12 para. 8); S.I. 2005/579, art. 3(i)(iv)

[^c857511]: Words repealed by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), ss. 123(6), 170(2), Sch. 8 para. 16, Sch. 16

[^c857521]: 1825 c. 50.

[^c857531]: 1971 c. 23.

[^c857541]: 1972 c. 71.

[^c857551]: 1971 c. 23.

[^c20889361]: Words in s. 14 substituted (1.9.2004) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 173; S.I. 2004/2066, art. 2(c)(viii) (with art. 3)

[^c857571]: Words repealed by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), ss. 121, 123(6), 170(2), Sch. 8 para. 16, Sch. 16

[^c857581]: S. 19(1): certain functions of the Minister for the Civil Service are transferred to the Treasury and references to that Minister are to be construed as mentioned in S.I. 1981/1670, arts. 2(2), 3(5)

[^c857591]: Words substituted by Administration of Justice Act 1977 (c. 38), Sch. 2 Pt. I para. 7

[^c857601]: Words repealed by Social Security (Consequential Provisions) Act 1975 (c. 18), Sch. 1 Pt. I

[^c20889381]: S. 19(1A) inserted (5.4.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 321, 336, Sch. 33 para. 13; S.I. 2004/829, art. 2(1)(2)(g)

[^c857611]: Words substituted by Coroners Act 1988 (c. 13, SIF 33), ss. 33, 36(1), Sch. 3 para. 16(1)

[^c857631]: Words substituted by Coroners Act 1988 (c. 13, SIF 33), ss. 33, 36(1), Sch. 3 para. 16(2)

[^c857641]: 1971 c. 24.

[^c857651]: S. 19(7) repealed by Social Security (Consequential Provisions) Act 1975 (c. 18, SIF 113:1), s. 1(2), Sch. 1 Pt. I and also expressed to be repealed by Administration of Justice Act 1977 (c. 38, SIF 37), s. 32(4), Sch. 5 Pt. II

[^c857711]: Words inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), ss. 123(6), 170(1), Sch. 8 para. 16, Sch. 15 para. 46

[^c20889401]: S. 20(5)(d) substituted (5.4.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 321, 336, Sch. 33 para. 14; S.I. 2004/829, art. 2(1)(2)(g)

[^c857721]: Words substituted by Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 37, 38, 46 (with s. 47)

[^c857751]: 1971 c. 23.

[^c857761]: 1972 c. 71.

[^c857771]: 1971 c. 23.

[^c857781]: The text of s. 22(1)(4) and Sch. 3 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991

[^c857791]: 1887 c. 71.

[^c857811]: Words substituted by virtue of Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30), s. 25(2)

[^c857821]: 1978 c. 30.

[^c20889011]: S. 9AA inserted (5.4.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 321, 336, Sch. 33 para. 12; S.I. 2004/829, art. 2(1)(2)(g)

[^c857281]: S. 13 substituted (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 43(1); S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

[^c20890261]: Sch. 1 para. 4(2) repealed (31.3.2005) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28), ss. 58(2), 60, Sch. 11; S.I. 2005/579, art. 3(i)(iv)

[^c859621]: Sch. 2 repealed by Coroners Act 1988 (c. 13, SIF 33), ss. 33, 36(2), Sch. 4

[^c859631]: The text of s. 22(1)(4) and Sch. 3 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

[^c20889471]: Sch. 1 substituted (5.4.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 321, 336, Sch. 33 para. 15; S.I. 2004/829, art. 2(1)(2)(g)

[^c857741]: S. 20(5)(e) and word inserted (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 168(2), Sch 10 para. 28; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1, Appendix B

[^M_F_7cb43f0e-6ccd-4b4d-f448-78aed9209cf9]: Words substituted by Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 37, 38, 46 (with s. 47)

Withdrawal or alteration of summonses.

Discharge of summonses in case of doubt as to capacity to act effectively as a juror.

Part 1 — Mentally disordered persons

1

A person who suffers or has suffered from mental illness, psychopathic disorder, mental handicap or severe mental handicap and on account of that condition either—

2

A person for the time being under guardianship under section 7 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

3

A person who, under Part 7 of that Act, has been determined by a judge to be incapable, by reason of mental disorder, of managing and administering his property and affairs.

4

Part 2 — Persons disqualified

5

A person who is on bail in criminal proceedings (within the meaning of the Bail Act 1976).

6

A person who has at any time been sentenced in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man—

7

A person who at any time in the last ten years has—

8

For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule—

and any reference to serving a sentence of detention is to be construed accordingly.