Juries- Qualifcation, Selection+ Appointment Flashcards
What are the basic qualification requirements to serve on a jury under the Juries Act 1974?
Aged between 18 and 75.
Must have been a resident of the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man for at least 5 years since the age of 13.
Must be registered on the electoral register.
What types of previous convictions result in a lifetime disqualification from jury service?
Imprisonment for life.
A sentence of imprisonment for public protection.
A prison sentence of 5 years or more.
What previous convictions result in a 10-year disqualification from jury service?
A prison sentence of less than 5 years.
A suspended sentence.
A community order.
What are grounds for ineligibility to serve on a jury?
Certain mental health conditions.
Inability to speak or understand English.
Deafness or other disabilities that prevent participation in the trial process.
When can jury service be deferred, and what are some valid reasons?
Jury service can be deferred for up to 12 months for valid reasons such as:
Pre-booked holiday.
Exams.
Medical operations.
Armed Forces personnel (with certification from commanding officer).
What are valid reasons for being excused from jury service entirely?
Serious illness or disability.
Full-time carer for someone with a serious illness or disability.
Jury service undertaken within the previous 2 years.
How are jurors selected for service?
Names are randomly selected by the Jury Central Summoning Bureau from the electoral register.
A Lord Chancellor’s Summons is sent by post.
Recipients must respond; ignoring it can result in a fine up to £1,000.
Jurors usually serve for two weeks.
How are jurors chosen at court?
Jurors wait in the jury pool and are split into groups of 15.
The court clerk randomly selects 12 jurors from a shuffled pack of cards.
What are the two types of vetting for jurors?
- Routine police (DBS) checks: Ensure jurors aren’t disqualified.
- Authorised jury checks: Rare and used in national security cases to check political affiliations. Require Attorney General approval.
What are the three types of challenges to jurors?
- Challenge to the array: Challenges the entire jury for bias or unrepresentative selection (rare).
- Challenge for cause: Challenges an individual juror for bias, disqualification, or connection to the case.
Case example: Wilson – juror was married to a prison officer from the same prison where defendant was held. - Prosecution stand by: Allows the prosecution to move a juror to the end of the list without a reason.
What is involved in the appointment and swearing-in of a jury?
Jurors enter the jury box.
Each juror is sworn in by taking an oath on their chosen holy book or affirming if of no religion.
What are the three main requirements to qualify for jury service?
A person must be aged 18–75, be on the electoral register, and have been a UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man resident for at least 5 years since age 13.
What type of offence leads to disqualification from jury service for life?
A prison sentence for life, for public protection, or for 5 years or more.
What type of conviction results in disqualification from jury service for 10 years?
A prison sentence of less than 5 years, a suspended sentence, or a community order.
Can someone on bail serve on a jury?
No. A person on bail is disqualified from jury service.
What is the penalty for failing to disclose disqualification and attending jury service?
A fine of up to £5,000.
Who is ineligible to serve as a juror?
People with certain mental health conditions, those who cannot understand English, and those with disabilities (e.g., deafness) that prevent them from carrying out the role.
On what grounds can someone defer their jury service?
Good reason, such as exams, booked holidays, medical operations, or Armed Forces duties with commanding officer certification.
When can someone be excused from jury service?
If they cannot serve in the next 12 months due to serious illness, disability, or full-time caregiving, or if they have completed jury service within the past 2 years.
How are jurors selected?
The Jury Central Summoning Bureau randomly selects names from the electoral register and sends a Lord Chancellor’s Summons.
What happens if someone ignores a jury summons?
They may be fined up to £1,000.
How many people are typically summoned per court every two weeks?
Approximately 150 people.
How long must jurors be available for service?
Typically two weeks, but longer if the trial lasts more than two weeks.
How are jurors chosen from the pool at court?
They are split into groups of 15, and 12 names are called at random by the Court Clerk.
