{"id":"a-1967-47","name":"Juries Act 1967","slug":"juries-act-1967","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"47 of 1967","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":23789,"registerId":"act-a-1967-47-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Juries Act 1967","content":"Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nJuries Act 1967\nA1967-47\nRepublication No 34\nEffective: 19 October 2024\nRepublication date: 19 October 2024\nLast amendment made by A2024-12\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Juries Act 1967 (including any amendment made under the\nLegislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on 19 October 2024. It also\nincludes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to\n19 October 2024.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT\nlegislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n• unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by\nan Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The\nchanges are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into\nline, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the\nsymbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying\nprovision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation\nAct 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an\nindividual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nJuries Act 1967\nContents\nPage\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of Act 2\n2 Dictionary 2\n3 Notes 2\n4 Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc 2\nPart 2 Number of jurors\n7 Number of jurors 3\n8 Reduced number of jurors 3\nPart 3 Liability for jury service\n9 Liability to serve as jurors 4\n11 Disqualified people, exempt people and people who may claim\nexemption 4\n13 Liability of disqualified or exempted persons to attend as jurors 4\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n14 Excusing of jurors 5\n15 Partners or coworkers as jurors 5\n16 Reasonable support because of insufficient understanding or disability 5\n17 Excusing person if liability in doubt 7\n18 Impeachment of verdict of jury 7\n18A Relief from jury service 7\nPart 4 Jury list\n19 Jury list 9\nPart 5 Jury precepts and summonses\n21 Meaning of sheriff in pt 5 10\n22 Jury precepts 10\n24 Choosing jurors 10\n26 Service of jury summonses 12\n26A Application for withdrawal of summons 13\n27 Preparation of jury pool, allocation of identifying numbers and excused\njurors 13\n27A Record of identifying numbers 14\n28 Sheriff’s return to precept 14\n29 Inspection of jury pools 14\n30 Informalities etc not to invalidate verdict 14\nPart 6 Empanelling jury for criminal trial\n31 Empanelling a jury 15\n31A Expanded juries in some criminal trials 16\nPart 7 Challenge\n33 Standing persons by 17\n34 Challenges at criminal trials 17\n35 Time for challenging at criminal trials 17\n36A Trial of challenge for cause 17\n37 Informality in summoning jurors 18\nPart 8 Disagreement of jury\n37A Definitions—pt 8 19\n\nContents\nPage\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\ncontents 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n38 Majority verdict sufficient for offences against territory laws at certain\ncriminal trials 19\n39 Discharge of jury where no verdict likely to be reached 19\n40 Adjournment of trial on discharge of jury for disagreement 20\nPart 9 Offences\n41 Nonattendance 21\n42 Leaving without permission 21\n42A Failing to comply with conditions 21\n42B Contravention of s 41, s 42 and s 42A 22\n42BA Improper inquiry by juror about matters relevant to trial 23\n42C Confidentiality of jury deliberations and identities 25\n43 Personation of jurors 28\n44AA Unlawful dismissal etc of employees for jury service 29\n44AB Acts and omissions of representatives 30\nPart 10 Miscellaneous\n45 Oath by jurors 31\n45A Oath by interpreter 31\n45B Oath by support person 31\n46 Oath by person in charge of jury 31\n46A Information for jurors 31\n47 View during trial 32\n49 Food and refreshment for jury 32\n51 Payment of jurors 33\n51A Payment of juror’s expenses 33\n52 Regulation-making power 34\nSchedule 1 35\nPart 1.1 35\nJuror’s oath 35\nJuror’s affirmation 35\nPart 1.1A 36\nInterpreter’s oath 36\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 4 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nInterpreter’s affirmation 36\nPart 1.1B 37\nSupporter’s oath 37\nSupporter’s affirmation 37\nPart 1.2 38\nOath by person in charge of jury 38\nAffirmation by person in charge of jury 38\nPart 1.3 39\nOath by person in charge of jurors on a view 39\nAffirmation by person in charge of jurors on a view 39\nPart 1.4 40\nOath by person appointed to conduct a view 40\nAffirmation by person appointed to conduct a view 40\nDictionary 41\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 43\n2 Abbreviation key 43\n3 Legislation history 44\n4 Amendment history 51\n5 Earlier republications 58\n\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nJuries Act 1967\nAn Act relating to juries\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nSection 1\npage 2 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of Act\nThis Act is the Juries Act 1967.\n2 Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act.\nNote 1 The dictionary at the end of this Act defines certain terms used in this\nAct, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other terms defined\nelsewhere in this Act.\nNote 2 A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to\nthe entire Act unless the definition, or another provision of the Act,\nprovides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears (see\nLegislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)).\n3 Notes\nA note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act.\nNote See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.\n4 Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc\nOther legislation applies in relation to offences against this Act.\nNote 1 Criminal Code\nThe Criminal Code, ch 2 applies to the following offences against this\nAct (see Code, pt 2.1):\n• s 42BA (Improper inquiry by juror about matters relevant to trial).\nThe chapter sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility\n(including burdens of proof and general defences), and defines terms used\nfor offences to which the Code applies (eg conduct, intention,\nrecklessness and strict liability).\nNote 2 Penalty units\nThe Legislation Act, s 133 deals with the meaning of offence penalties\nthat are expressed in penalty units.\n\nNumber of jurors Part 2\nSection 7\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 2 Number of jurors\n7 Number of jurors\nAt a criminal trial, a jury must consist of 12 jurors.\n8 Reduced number of jurors\n(1) If the judge is satisfied that, because of illness or other sufficient\ncause, a juror should not continue to act as a juror, the judge may\norder that the juror be excused from further attendance during the trial\nand during any further period that the judge specifies in the order.\n(2) Where, because of the death of a juror or of a juror being excused\nunder subsection (1), the number of jurors is reduced to not less\nthan 10, the trial shall, if the judge so orders and notwithstanding\nsection 7, continue with the reduced number of jurors, and the verdict\nof those jurors shall be a sufficient verdict.\n(3) If, at a criminal trial—\n(a) the number of jurors is reduced to 11 or 10 and the judge does\nnot make an order under subsection (2); or\n(b) the number of jurors is reduced to less than 10;\nthe judge shall discharge the remaining jurors and shall adjourn the\ntrial to a date fixed by the judge or to be fixed as the judge orders.\n\nPart 3 Liability for jury service\nSection 9\npage 4 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 3 Liability for jury service\n9 Liability to serve as jurors\nEach person whose name is on the roll of electors of the ACT is,\nunless he or she is a disqualified person or is exempt from serving as\na juror, liable to serve as a juror.\n11 Disqualified people, exempt people and people who may\nclaim exemption\nA regulation may prescribe a person who—\n(a) is disqualified from serving as a juror; or\n(b) is exempt from serving as a juror; or\n(c) may claim an exemption from serving as a juror.\n13 Liability of disqualified or exempted persons to attend as\njurors\nA person whose name is on the jury list is not excused from\nattendance in accordance with a jury summons because of his or her\nnot being liable to serve, his or her not being qualified to serve, or his\nor her being exempted from serving, as a juror unless the sheriff was,\nafter the issue of the jury summons, informed accordingly and has\nexcused the person from attendance.\n\nLiability for jury service Part 3\nSection 14\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n14 Excusing of jurors\n(1) This section applies if a judge or the sheriff is satisfied that a person\nsummoned or appointed to attend to serve as a juror has shown\nsufficient reason to be excused from attendance.\nExamples—sufficient reason\n1 pregnancy\n2 illness\n3 the person has care of children or of aged or ill people\n(2) The judge or the sheriff may, at any time after service of the summons\nor the appointment, excuse the person from attendance or further\nattendance on the Supreme Court during the period that the judge or\nsheriff states.\n15 Partners or coworkers as jurors\n(1) This section applies if a judge or the sheriff is satisfied that 2 or more\npeople who have been summoned or appointed to attend as jurors on\nthe same day are employed in the same establishment or are partners\nin the same partnership.\n(2) The judge or the sheriff may excuse 1 or more of them from attending\nas jurors on that day if satisfied that attendance would substantially\ninconvenience or adversely impact the establishment or partnership.\n16 Reasonable support because of insufficient\nunderstanding or disability\n(1) This section applies if a judge is satisfied that a person summoned or\nappointed to attend to serve as a juror, and who has not claimed an\nexemption or otherwise been excused from attendance, may be\nunable to properly discharge the duties of a juror, because the\nperson—\n(a) has an insufficient understanding of the English language; or\n(b) is suffering from a mental or physical disability.\n\nPart 3 Liability for jury service\nSection 16\npage 6 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(2) The judge—\n(a) must consider if support that would enable the person to\nproperly discharge the duties of a juror can reasonably be given;\nand\n(b) if satisfied that support that would enable the person to properly\ndischarge the duties of a juror can reasonably be given, must\nmake a direction that the support be given.\nExamples—support\n1 an interpreter, including an Auslan interpreter\n2 an assistance animal, disability aid or support person\n(3) To determine if support can reasonably be given, the judge may\nconsider the following:\n(a) whether the support would impose a disproportionate or undue\nburden on court resources, facilities and time frames;\n(b) if the support would require a non-juror being present during\njury deliberations, whether the non-juror’s presence would\ninhibit or restrict discussion, or unduly pressure or influence any\njuror;\n(c) any other issue the judge considers relevant.\n(4) If the judge makes a direction allowing an interpreter or support\nperson to assist the person to properly discharge the duties of a\njuror—\n(a) the common law rule against having a non-juror in the jury room\nis not a relevant consideration; and\n(b) a direction to allow a non-juror to be present during jury\ndeliberations is solely for assisting the person to properly\ndischarge the duties of a juror; and\n(c) the direction is subject to the interpreter or support person\nagreeing to make an oath or affirmation in accordance with\nschedule 1, part 1.1A or part 1.1B.\n\nLiability for jury service Part 3\nSection 17\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(5) If the judge is not satisfied that support that would enable the person\nto properly discharge the duties of a juror can reasonably be given,\nthe judge may discharge that person from further attendance on the\nSupreme Court under that summons or appointment.\n17 Excusing person if liability in doubt\nIf, in the opinion of a judge, it is doubtful whether a person summoned\nor appointed to attend to serve as a juror is liable to serve as a juror,\nthe judge may excuse that person from further attendance on the\nSupreme Court.\n18 Impeachment of verdict of jury\nThe verdict of a jury shall not be impeached on the grounds that a\nperson who served as a juror was not liable to serve, was not qualified\nto serve, or was exempt from serving, as a juror unless the judge was\ninformed accordingly before that person was sworn.\n18A Relief from jury service\n(1) A person who has, during the currency of a jury list, been summoned\nor appointed to attend to serve as a juror is excused from serving as a\njuror until a jury list is next prepared in accordance with section 19.\n(2) Despite subsection (1), if at the conclusion of a trial, the judge is of\nthe opinion that the trial was of sufficient length to justify so doing,\nthe judge may order that each of the jurors for that trial shall be\nexcused from serving as a juror for a specified further period.\n(3) Subject to subsection (4), if a person has been excused from serving\nas a juror under subsection (1) or (2), the sheriff shall take the steps\nthat are necessary to ensure that the person is not summoned or\nappointed to attend to serve as a juror before the end of the period for\nwhich the person is excused.\n\nPart 3 Liability for jury service\nSection 18A\npage 8 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(4) If a person who has been excused from serving as a juror under\nsubsection (1) or (2) notifies the sheriff in writing that he or she\nwishes to be included on the jury list, the person ceases to be excused\nfrom serving as a juror and the sheriff shall include the person on the\njury list.\n\nJury list Part 4\nSection 19\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 4 Jury list\n19 Jury list\n(1) The sheriff shall, at the prescribed times and at any other times the\nsheriff considers necessary, prepare a list of the names of persons\nliable to serve as jurors.\n(2) In preparing the jury list under subsection (1), the sheriff shall remove\nfrom the roll of electors of the ACT the name of each person who, to\nthe knowledge of the sheriff, is dead, is not qualified to serve as a\njuror or is exempt or excused from so serving.\n(3) The jury list may be kept electronically.\n(4) For subsection (1), the following times are prescribed:\n(a) as soon as practicable after the commencement of this section;\n(b) once in each 2 year period afterwards.\n\nPart 5 Jury precepts and summonses\nSection 21\npage 10 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 5 Jury precepts and summonses\n21 Meaning of sheriff in pt 5\nIn this part:\nsheriff includes any person exercising the functions of the sheriff in\naccordance with the Supreme Court Act 1933, section 52.\n22 Jury precepts\nFrom time to time and as often as necessary, a judge shall issue, by\nsigned writing, a precept directed to the sheriff requiring him or her\nto summon persons to attend on the Supreme Court to serve as jurors.\nNote See approved form 1 (Jury precept), approved under the Court\nProcedures Act 2004, s 8.\n24 Choosing jurors\n(1) If a jury precept is given to the sheriff, the sheriff shall choose from\nthe names on the jury list as many persons as he or she considers\nnecessary to ensure that the number of persons that the jury precept\nrequires to attend to serve as jurors will be in attendance at the\nSupreme Court at the time specified in the precept.\n(2) If it appears to the sheriff that—\n(a) a person whose name has been so chosen is dead, is exempt or\nexcused from serving as a juror or has become a disqualified\nperson; or\n(b) there are reasonable grounds for believing that it is unlikely that\na person whose name has been so chosen will be served with the\njury summons;\nthe sheriff shall choose, in substitution for the name previously\nchosen, the name of another person whose name appears on the jury\nlist.\n\nJury precepts and summonses Part 5\nSection 24\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 11\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(3) For subsection (1) and (2), the names must be chosen randomly\n(whether by electronic or other means).\n(4) The sheriff shall prepare, and give a police officer a copy of, a list of\nthe names chosen under subsection (1) or (2) (the jury roll).\n(5) A police officer may make the inquiries that the police officer\nconsiders appropriate to determine whether any person whose name\nis included on the jury roll is a disqualified person and the officer\nmust report in writing, electronically or otherwise, the result of the\ninquiries to the sheriff.\n(6) A person shall not, except in the exercise of a function under, or\notherwise for, a law in force in the ACT, either directly or indirectly,\nmake a record of, or divulge or communicate to any person,\ninformation obtained in the course of inquiries referred to in\nsubsection (5).\n(7) If it appears to the sheriff, after considering a report under subsection\n(5), that a person whose name is included on the jury roll is a\ndisqualified person, the sheriff must remove the name of the person\nfrom the jury roll and jury list.\n(8) The sheriff must remove the name of a person from the jury roll if it\nappears to the sheriff, after considering a report made under\nsubsection (5) that—\n(a) the person is not a disqualified person but has been convicted of\nan offence punishable on summary conviction; and\n(b) having regard to the regulation, schedule 1, part 1.2,\n(Disqualified people) and the nature and seriousness of the\noffence, the person would be unable to adequately exercise the\nfunctions of a juror.\n\nPart 5 Jury precepts and summonses\nSection 26\npage 12 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(9) If the sheriff removes the name of a person from the jury roll under\nsubsection (8), the sheriff must, by written notice sent by post\naddressed to the person at the person’s last known address, advise the\nperson that their name has been removed and that the person may\nobject to the removal by written application to a judge.\n(10) If a person makes an application under subsection (9), the judge must\nfix a date and time for the hearing of the application and notify the\napplicant and sheriff of the date and time.\n(11) If the judge decides that an applicant’s name should not have been\nremoved from the jury roll, the sheriff must put the applicant’s name\nback on the jury roll.\n(12) An action or proceeding, civil or criminal, does not lie against a police\nofficer personally for or in relation to any act done by the officer in\ngood faith in connection with the making of a report under\nsubsection (5).\n26 Service of jury summonses\nA jury summons may be served—\n(a) by giving it to the person named on it, or by leaving it with a\nperson apparently over 16 years old at that person’s place of\nliving as shown on the jury list, not less than 4 clear days before\nthe date when the person is required to attend; or\n(b) by sending it by post (under prepaid postage) in an envelope\naddressed to the person at his or her place of living as shown on\nthe jury list not less than 7 clear days before the date when the\nperson is required to attend.\nNote See approved form 2 (Jury summons), approved under the Court\nProcedures Act 2004, s 8.\n\nJury precepts and summonses Part 5\nSection 26A\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 13\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n26A Application for withdrawal of summons\n(1) If a person has been served with a jury summons and has informed\nthe sheriff that the person believes he or she is not qualified to serve\nas a juror or is exempt or excused from jury service, the sheriff shall—\n(a) if the sheriff believes that the person is not qualified to serve as\na juror or is exempt or excused from jury service—withdraw the\nsummons; or\n(b) refuse to withdraw the summons.\n(2) If the sheriff has refused to withdraw a summons under subsection (1)\n(b), the person summoned may apply in writing to a judge for a review\nof the decision.\n(3) The judge shall fix a date and time for the hearing of the application\nand shall cause the applicant and the sheriff to be notified\naccordingly.\n(4) The sheriff shall revise the jury list so that it accords with the decision\nof the judge.\n27 Preparation of jury pool, allocation of identifying\nnumbers and excused jurors\n(1) The sheriff must—\n(a) prepare a pool of jurors for the jury precept by listing the names\nof people who have been served with a jury summons and have\nnot been disqualified, excused or exempted from serving as a\njuror (the jury pool); and\n(b) allocate a unique number (an identifying number) to each\nperson in the jury pool.\n(2) The sheriff must also notify any person who is excused from\nattendance on the Supreme Court in compliance with the\nrequirements of the jury summons.\n\nPart 5 Jury precepts and summonses\nSection 27A\npage 14 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n27A Record of identifying numbers\n(1) The sheriff must keep a record of the identifying numbers for each\njury pool.\n(2) The record must be kept in a way that maintains its confidentiality.\n28 Sheriff’s return to precept\nOn the day and at the time stated in a jury precept for the attendance\nof the people summoned under the jury precept, the sheriff must\nreturn into the Supreme Court the jury precept and must give it to the\nproper officer together with the jury pool.\n29 Inspection of jury pools\n(1) Except by leave of the Supreme Court, a person must not, before the\nday fixed for a trial, inspect or obtain a copy of the jury pool for the\ntrial.\n(2) The legal practitioner representing the prosecution, the accused or the\naccused person’s legal practitioner may, on the day fixed for a trial,\ninspect or obtain from the sheriff a copy of the jury pool for the trial.\n30 Informalities etc not to invalidate verdict\nAn omission, informality or error in name, occupation or identifying\nnumber (if there is no question of identity) in relation to the jury list,\na jury precept or a jury pool does not invalidate or affect any verdict\nreturned by a jury that is in other respects according to law.\n\nEmpanelling jury for criminal trial Part 6\nSection 31\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 6 Empanelling jury for criminal trial\n31 Empanelling a jury\n(1) At the beginning of a criminal trial, the proper officer must randomly\nchoose, whether by electronic or other means, the identifying number\nfor a person in the jury pool and call aloud the identifying number\nchosen until 12 people have entered the jury box.\n(2) A person called must enter the jury box unless prevented by challenge\nor otherwise.\n(3) If all the identifying numbers are called and fewer than 12 people\nhave entered the jury box, the judge may order the sheriff to appoint\npeople who are in or near the Supreme Court and are liable to serve\nas jurors to attend to serve as jurors.\n(4) If a person is appointed under subsection (3), the following provisions\napply:\n(a) the name of a person is taken to have been returned on the jury\nprecept and to have been included in the jury pool;\n(b) the sheriff must allocate a unique number (an identifying\nnumber) to the person;\n(c) the person may be challenged in the same way as the people\nwhose names were included in the jury panel.\n(5) The 12 people who have entered the jury box are, when sworn, the\njury for the criminal trial.\n(6) If a person’s identifying number has been called but the person is not\nsworn, the person’s name remains in the jury pool when the jury is\nsworn.\n(7) When the verdict of the jury has been given and recorded or the jury\nhas been discharged, whichever happens first, the identifying\nnumbers must, unless the Supreme Court otherwise orders, be\nreturned to the jury pool.\n\nPart 6 Empanelling jury for criminal trial\nSection 31A\npage 16 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n31A Expanded juries in some criminal trials\n(1) If a judge considers it appropriate, he or she may direct that a\nspecified number of jurors, greater than 12 and less than 17, be\nempanelled for a criminal trial.\n(2) If a judge gives a direction under subsection (1), this Act (other than\nthis section) applies in relation to the trial as if references to 12 jurors\nor persons were references to as many jurors or persons as are equal\nto the number of jurors directed to be empanelled.\n(3) If a judge gives a direction under subsection (1), section 34 applies in\nrelation to the trial as if references in section 34 (1) (a) and (2) (a) to\n8 peremptory challenges were—\n(a) if the judge directs that 13 or 14 jurors be empanelled—\nreferences to 9 peremptory challenges; or\n(b) if the judge directs that 15 jurors be empanelled—references to\n10 peremptory challenges; or\n(c) if the judge directs that 16 jurors be empanelled—references to\n11 peremptory challenges.\n(4) If, immediately before a jury is to retire to consider its verdict, the\njury consists of more than 12 jurors, the proper officer must select the\njurors to be discharged by randomly selecting, by electronic or other\nmeans, identifying numbers one at a time until 12 jurors remain\nunselected.\n(5) If a juror is selected under subsection (4), the name of the juror is\nreturned to the jury pool unless the Supreme Court orders otherwise.\n\nChallenge Part 7\nSection 33\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 17\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 7 Challenge\n33 Standing persons by\n(1) At a criminal trial, the Supreme Court may, at the request of the legal\npractitioner representing the prosecution, order a person called to\nstand by until all identifying numbers are called.\n(2) If all the identifying numbers are called and fewer than 12 people\nhave entered the jury box, the identifying numbers for the people who\nhave been ordered to stand by must be returned to the jury pool and\nagain randomly chosen from the jury pool in accordance with section\n31.\n34 Challenges at criminal trials\n(1) At a criminal trial, the Crown is entitled—\n(a) to 8 peremptory challenges; and\n(b) to any number of challenges for cause.\n(2) At a criminal trial, the accused or his or her legal practitioner is\nentitled—\n(a) to 8 peremptory challenges; and\n(b) to any number of challenges for cause.\n35 Time for challenging at criminal trials\nAt a criminal trial, a challenge shall be made as the person called\ncomes to, and before he or she enters, the jury box.\n36A Trial of challenge for cause\nA challenge for cause shall be tried by the judge presiding at the trial\nat which the challenge is made.\n\nPart 7 Challenge\nSection 37\npage 18 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n37 Informality in summoning jurors\nAn omission, irregularity or error by the sheriff or any of his or her\nofficers in relation to the time or mode of service of a summons on a\nperson under a jury precept, or the summoning or return of such a\nperson by a wrong name (if there is no question of identity) is not a\ncause of challenge.\n\nDisagreement of jury Part 8\nSection 37A\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 19\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 8 Disagreement of jury\n37A Definitions—pt 8\nIn this part:\nmajority verdict, of a jury consisting of 12 jurors, means a verdict\nagreed by 11 jurors.\nunanimous verdict, of a jury, means a verdict agreed by all jurors.\n38 Majority verdict sufficient for offences against territory\nlaws at certain criminal trials\n(1) This section applies in relation to a verdict of a jury at a criminal trial\nif—\n(a) the verdict is for an offence against a territory law; and\n(b) the jury has retired to consider the verdict; and\n(c) the jury consists of 12 jurors.\n(2) A majority verdict is a sufficient verdict, and must be taken to be the\nverdict of the jury, if the judge is satisfied—\n(a) that a reasonable period (of at least 6 hours) for the jury to\ndeliberate on the verdict has passed, taking into account the\ncomplexity and nature of the trial; and\n(b) after examination on oath of 1 or more jurors, that the jury is not\nlikely to reach a unanimous verdict.\n39 Discharge of jury where no verdict likely to be reached\nIf a jury has retired to consider its verdict at a criminal trial, the judge\nmay discharge the jury if the judge is satisfied—\n(a) that a reasonable period (of at least 6 hours) for the jury to\ndeliberate on the verdict has passed, taking into account the\ncomplexity and nature of the trial; and\n\nPart 8 Disagreement of jury\nSection 40\npage 20 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) after examination on oath of 1 or more jurors, that the jury is not\nlikely to reach—\n(i) a unanimous verdict; or\n(ii) if a majority verdict would be a sufficient verdict under\nsection 38 (2)—a majority verdict.\n40 Adjournment of trial on discharge of jury for\ndisagreement\nIf a jury is discharged under section 39, the judge shall adjourn the\ntrial to a date fixed by the judge or to be fixed as the judge orders.\n\nOffences Part 9\nSection 41\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 21\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 9 Offences\n41 Nonattendance\n(1) A person who has been served with a jury summons shall not, without\na valid and sufficient reason, fail to attend in accordance with the\nsummons.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person—\n(a) who has subsequently been excused from jury service; or\n(b) in relation to whom the jury summons has been withdrawn.\n42 Leaving without permission\nA person—\n(a) who attends in accordance with a jury summons; or\n(b) who has been appointed to attend to serve as a juror; or\n(c) who is a juror;\nshall not leave the Supreme Court premises before being discharged\nor excused by a judge or the sheriff unless permitted to do so by the\nsheriff.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n42A Failing to comply with conditions\n(1) A person—\n(a) who attends in accordance with a jury summons; or\n(b) who has been appointed to attend to serve as a juror; or\n\nPart 9 Offences\nSection 42B\npage 22 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(c) who is a juror;\nshall not, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with the\nconditions (if any) imposed by a judge or the sheriff on the person\nbefore being excused by the judge or sheriff or permitted to leave the\nSupreme Court premises by the sheriff.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) The conditions that may be imposed by a judge or the sheriff include\nbut are not limited to—\n(a) a condition that the person return to the Supreme Court premises\nby a particular time; and\n(b) a condition that the person is or is not to remain with another\nperson.\n(3) Subject to a condition of the kind described in subsection (2) (b), a\njury may separate at any time before or after it retires to consider its\nverdict.\n42B Contravention of s 41, s 42 and s 42A\n(1) This section applies if a judge or sheriff is satisfied that a person has\ncontravened section 41 (Nonattendance), section 42 (Leaving without\npermission) or section 42A (Failing to comply with conditions).\n(2) The sheriff may serve a notice on the person stating that if the person\ndoes not wish to have the matter referred to the Supreme Court, the\nperson must—\n(a) pay to an officer stated in the notice at a stated place and time a\npenalty amount equivalent to 5 penalty units for the\ncontravention; or\n(b) show cause to the sheriff within a stated time why the penalty\nshould not be imposed for the contravention.\n\nOffences Part 9\nSection 42BA\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(3) The sheriff may require the person to verify the person’s statements\nunder subsection (2) (b) by statutory declaration.\nNote 1 The Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (Cwlth) applies to the making of\nstatutory declarations under ACT laws.\nNote 2 It is an offence to make a false or misleading statement, give false or\nmisleading information or produce a false or misleading document (see\nCriminal Code, pt 3.4).\n(4) If the sheriff is not satisfied that a person has shown reasonable cause\nwhy a penalty should not be imposed for the contravention, the sheriff\nmust tell the person and state a further period of time within which\nthe person may pay the penalty amount.\n(5) A person served with a notice under subsection (2)—\n(a) has the right to refuse to be dealt with under this section; and\n(b) is taken to have refused to be dealt with under this section if the\nperson—\n(i) does not show reasonable cause why a penalty should not\nbe imposed for the contravention, within the time stated in\nthe notice; and\n(ii) fails to pay the penalty amount within the time stated in the\nnotice or within any further time as may be allowed by the\nsheriff.\nNote Fail includes refuse (see Legislation Act, dict, pt 1).\n(6) If the penalty amount is paid, no person will be liable for any further\nproceedings for the contravention.\n42BA Improper inquiry by juror about matters relevant to trial\n(1) A person commits an offence if—\n(a) the person is a juror for a criminal trial; and\n(b) the person makes an inquiry; and\n\nPart 9 Offences\nSection 42BA\npage 24 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(c) the inquiry was made—\n(i) after the person is sworn as a juror and before being\ndischarged; and\n(ii) for the purpose of obtaining information about any matter\nrelating to the trial; and\n(d) the inquiry was not made in the proper exercise of the person’s\nfunctions as a juror.\nMaximum penalty: imprisonment for 2 years.\n(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person making an inquiry\nauthorised by the court.\nNote The defendant has an evidential burden in relation to the matters\nmentioned in s (2) (see Criminal Code, s 58).\n(3) For this section, an inquiry made in contravention of a direction, or\npermission, given to the jury by the judge is not a proper exercise of\nthe person’s functions as a juror.\n(4) In this section:\nmaking an inquiry includes any of the following:\n(a) asking a question of another person;\n(b) conducting any research;\n(c) viewing or inspecting any place or object;\n(d) conducting an experiment;\n(e) causing another person to make an inquiry.\nExamples—making an inquiry\n1 conducting research using the internet to search an electronic database for\ninformation\n2 bringing information into the jury room, such as news articles, research papers\nor books\n\nOffences Part 9\nSection 42C\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n42C Confidentiality of jury deliberations and identities\n(1) This section applies in relation to juries in criminal, civil or coronial\nproceedings in a court of the Territory, the Commonwealth, a State or\nanother Territory whether instituted before or after the\ncommencement of this section.\n(2) A person must not disclose protected information if the person is\naware that, in consequence of the disclosure, the information will, or\nis likely to, be published.\nMaximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or\nboth.\n(3) A person must not solicit or obtain protected information with the\nintention of publishing or facilitating the publication of that\ninformation.\nMaximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or\nboth.\n(4) A person must not publish protected information.\nMaximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or\nboth.\n(5) Subsection (2) does not prohibit disclosing protected information—\n(a) to a court; or\n(b) to a royal commission or a board of inquiry; or\n(c) to the director of public prosecutions, a member of the staff of\nthe director’s office or a police officer for the purpose of an\ninvestigation about an alleged contempt of court or alleged\noffence relating to jury deliberations or a juror’s identity; or\n(d) as part of a fair and accurate report of an investigation referred\nto in paragraph (c); or\n\nPart 9 Offences\nSection 42C\npage 26 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(e) to a person in accordance with an authorisation granted by the\nAttorney-General to conduct research into matters relating to\njuries or jury service; or\n(f) to a legal practitioner to obtain legal advice in relation to a\ndisclosure mentioned in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e).\n(6) Subsection (3) does not prohibit soliciting or obtaining protected\ninformation—\n(a) in the course of proceedings in a court; or\n(b) by a royal commission or a board of inquiry; or\n(c) by the director of public prosecutions, a member of the staff of\nthe director’s office or a police officer for the purpose of an\ninvestigation about an alleged contempt of court or alleged\noffence relating to jury deliberations or a juror’s identity; or\n(d) by a person in accordance with an authorisation granted by the\nAttorney-General to conduct research into matters relating to\njuries or jury service; or\n(e) by a legal practitioner from his or her client for the purpose of\ngiving legal advice to the client in relation to a disclosure\nmentioned in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d).\n(7) Subsection (4) does not prohibit publishing protected information—\n(a) in accordance with an authorisation granted by the\nAttorney-General to conduct research into matters relating to\njuries or jury service; or\n(b) as part of a fair and accurate report of—\n(i) proceedings in relation to an alleged contempt of court, an\nalleged offence against this section or an alleged offence\notherwise relating to jury deliberations or a juror’s identity;\nor\n\nOffences Part 9\nSection 42C\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 27\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(ii) proceedings by way of appeal from proceedings referred to\nin subparagraph (i); or\n(iii) if the protected information relates to jury deliberations—\nproceedings by way of appeal from the proceedings in the\ncourse of which the deliberations took place if the nature\nor circumstances of the deliberations is an issue relevant to\nthe appeal; or\n(iv) a statement made or information provided by the director\nof public prosecutions about a decision, or the reason for a\ndecision, not to institute or conduct a prosecution or\nproceedings for an alleged contempt of court or alleged\noffence relating to jury deliberations or a juror’s identity.\n(8) This section does not prohibit a person—\n(a) during the course of proceedings, publishing or otherwise\ndisclosing, with the leave of the Supreme Court or otherwise\nwith lawful excuse, information that identifies, or is likely to\nidentify, the person or another person as, or as having been, a\njuror in the proceedings; or\n(b) after proceedings have been completed, publishing or otherwise\ndisclosing—\n(i) information that identifies, or is likely to identify, the\nperson as having been a juror in the proceedings; or\n(ii) information that identifies, or is likely to identify, another\nperson as, or as having been, a juror in the proceedings if\nthe other person has consented to the publication or\ndisclosure of that information.\n(9) This section does not apply in relation to information about a\nprosecution for an alleged offence against this section if, before the\nprosecution was instituted, that information had been published\ngenerally to the public.\n\nPart 9 Offences\nSection 43\npage 28 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(10) A prosecution for an alleged offence against this section is not to be\ninstituted except with the written consent of the director of public\nprosecutions or a person authorised by the director for that purpose.\n(11) In this section:\noffence relating to jury deliberations includes an offence against\nsection 42BA (1).\nprotected information means—\n(a) particulars of statements made, opinions expressed, arguments\nadvanced and votes cast by members of a jury in the course of\ntheir deliberations, other than anything said or done in open\ncourt; or\n(b) information that identifies, or is likely to identify, a person as,\nor as having been, a juror in particular proceedings.\npublish, in relation to protected information, means communicate or\ndisseminate the information in such a way or to such an extent that it\nis available to, or likely to come to the notice of, the public or a section\nof the public.\n43 Personation of jurors\nA person shall not personate, or attempt to personate, a person whose\nname is in a jury pool for the purpose of sitting as that person on a\njury.\nMaximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or\nboth.\n\nOffences Part 9\nSection 44AA\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 29\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n44AA Unlawful dismissal etc of employees for jury service\n(1) An employer shall not dismiss or injure an employee, or alter an\nemployee’s position to the prejudice of the employee, because the\nemployee is summoned to serve as a juror.\nMaximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or\nboth.\n(2) If all the elements of the offence other than the reason for the\nemployer’s action are proved, the onus of proving that the dismissal,\ninjury or alteration was not because the employee was summoned to\nserve as a juror is on the employer.\n(3) If an employer is convicted under subsection (1), the Supreme Court\nmay make either or both of the following orders:\n(a) an order that the employer pay to the employee a specified sum\nby way of reimbursement for the salary or wages lost by the\nemployee;\n(b) an order that the employee be reinstated in his or her former\nposition or in a similar position.\n(4) An order under subsection (3) (a) is enforceable as if it were a\njudgment given by the Magistrates Court in a personal action at law\nthat it has jurisdiction to hear and decide under the Magistrates Court\nAct 1930, chapter 4 (Civil proceedings).\n(5) An employer shall comply with an order under subsection (3) (b).\nMaximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or\nboth.\n(6) Where an employer fails to comply with an order under subsection (3)\n(b), the amount of salary or wages that would, apart from the failure,\nhave been payable to an employee in relation to the period of the\nfailure is recoverable as a debt due to the employee by the employer.\n\nPart 9 Offences\nSection 44AB\npage 30 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n44AB Acts and omissions of representatives\n(1) In this section:\nperson means an individual.\nNote See the Criminal Code, pt 2.5 for provisions about corporate criminal\nresponsibility.\nrepresentative, of a person, means an employee or agent of the\nperson.\nstate of mind, of a person, includes—\n(a) the person’s knowledge, intention, opinion, belief or purpose;\nand\n(b) the person’s reasons for the intention, opinion, belief or purpose.\n(2) This section applies to a prosecution for any offence against this Act.\n(3) If it is relevant to prove a person’s state of mind about an act or\nomission, it is enough to show—\n(a) the act was done or omission made by a representative of the\nperson within the scope of the representative’s actual or\napparent authority; and\n(b) the representative had the state of mind.\n(4) An act done or omitted to be done on behalf of a person by a\nrepresentative of the person within the scope of the representative’s\nactual or apparent authority is also taken to have been done or omitted\nto be done by the person.\n(5) However, subsection (4) does not apply if the person establishes that\nreasonable precautions were taken and appropriate diligence was\nexercised to avoid the act or omission.\n(6) A person who is convicted of an offence cannot be punished by\nimprisonment for the offence if the person would not have been\nconvicted of the offence without subsection (3) or (4).\n\nMiscellaneous Part 10\nSection 45\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 31\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 10 Miscellaneous\n45 Oath by jurors\n(1) Before serving as a juror, a person shall in open court make an oath\nor affirmation in accordance with the form specified in schedule 1,\npart 1.1.\n(2) A person may make the oath or affirmation individually or as part of\na group of people.\n45A Oath by interpreter\nBefore assisting a juror to properly discharge the duties of a juror, an\ninterpreter must make an oath or affirmation in the form stated in\nschedule 1, part 1.1A.\n45B Oath by support person\nBefore assisting a juror to properly discharge the duties of a juror, a\nsupport person must make an oath or affirmation in the form stated in\nschedule 1, part 1.1B.\n46 Oath by person in charge of jury\nThe person in charge of a jury shall make an oath or affirmation in\naccordance with the form specified in schedule 1, part 1.2.\n46A Information for jurors\nAfter a jury has been sworn, the judge shall ensure that the jury is\ninformed generally about the duty of each member in relation to the\nconfidentiality of jury deliberations and identities.\n\nPart 10 Miscellaneous\nSection 47\npage 32 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n47 View during trial\n(1) At a criminal trial, the judge may, at any time before a jury gives its\nverdict, order a view of any place or property by the jury and may\nmake all orders on the sheriff or other persons, and give all directions,\nthat the judge considers necessary, for the purposes of the view.\n(2) If a view is ordered—\n(a) the person in charge of the jury shall make an oath or affirmation\nin accordance with the form specified in schedule 1, part 1.3;\nand\n(b) each person appointed by the judge to conduct the view shall\nmake an oath or affirmation in accordance with the form\nspecified in schedule 1, part 1.4.\n49 Food and refreshment for jury\n(1) At any time after a jury has been sworn, and whether or not it has\nretired to consider its verdict, the sheriff may order—\n(a) that the jury be given the refreshments that the sheriff considers\nappropriate; or\n(b) that each juror be paid the amount determined by the Minister\nfor a meal (a meal allowance).\n(2) The sheriff must ensure the refreshments or meal allowance are given.\n(3) A determination is a disallowable instrument.\nNote A disallowable instrument must be notified, and presented to the\nLegislative Assembly, under the Legislation Act.\n\nMiscellaneous Part 10\nSection 51\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 33\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n51 Payment of jurors\n(1) A person summoned or appointed to attend the Supreme Court to\nserve as a juror is entitled to be paid the amount determined by the\nMinister for the person’s attendance at the court in accordance with\nthe summons or appointment, whether or not the person serves as a\njuror.\n(2) A determination is a disallowable instrument.\nNote A disallowable instrument must be notified, and presented to the\nLegislative Assembly, under the Legislation Act.\n51A Payment of juror’s expenses\n(1) If—\n(a) a person incurs expense during his or her service as a juror, being\nexpense that he or she would not have incurred apart from that\nservice; and\n(b) that expense was incurred in circumstances arising after the\nperson was sworn as a juror, being circumstances that would\nhave constituted a sufficient cause for the person to be excused\nattendance on the Supreme Court under this Act if they had\narisen before he or she was so sworn;\nthe person may apply to the sheriff for payment to the person of an\namount equal to the amount of that expense.\n(2) If an application is made to the sheriff under subsection (1), the sheriff\nshall consider the application and may grant payment to the applicant\nof the whole of the amount of the expense incurred by the applicant\nor the lesser amount that the sheriff considers reasonable.\n(3) A person who is aggrieved by a decision of the sheriff under\nsubsection (2) may apply in writing to a judge for a review of the\ndecision.\n\nPart 10 Miscellaneous\nSection 52\npage 34 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n52 Regulation-making power\nThe Executive may make regulations for this Act.\nNote Regulations must be notified, and presented to the Legislative Assembly,\nunder the Legislation Act 2001.\n\nSchedule 1\nPart 1.1\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 35\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nSchedule 1\nPart 1.1\n(see s 45)\nJuror’s oath\nI swear (or the person taking the oath may promise) by Almighty God\n(or the person may name a god recognised by the person’s religion)\nthat I will give a true verdict according to the evidence.\nJuror’s affirmation\nI solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will give a true\nverdict according to the evidence.\n\nSchedule 1\nPart 1.1A\npage 36 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1.1A\n(see s 45A)\nInterpreter’s oath\nI swear (or the person taking the oath may promise) by Almighty God\n(or the person may name a god recognised by the person’s religion)\nthat I will well and truly interpret the proceedings and the jury’s\ndeliberations and that I will not otherwise participate in the jury’s\ndeliberations or disclose anything about those deliberations, except as\nallowed or required by law.\nInterpreter’s affirmation\nI solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will well and truly\ninterpret the proceedings and the jury’s deliberations and that I will\nnot otherwise participate in the jury’s deliberations or disclose\nanything about those deliberations, except as allowed or required by\nlaw.\n\nSchedule 1\nPart 1.1B\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 37\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1.1B\n(see s 45B)\nSupporter’s oath\nI swear (or the person taking the oath may promise) by Almighty God\n(or the person may name a god recognised by the person’s religion)\nthat I will well and truly support the juror to discharge the juror’s\nduties, and that I will not otherwise participate in the jury’s\ndeliberations or disclose anything about those deliberations, except as\nallowed or required by law.\nSupporter’s affirmation\nI solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will well and truly\nsupport the juror to discharge the juror’s duties, and that I will not\notherwise participate in the jury’s deliberations or disclose anything\nabout those deliberations, except as allowed or required by law.\n\nSchedule 1\nPart 1.2\npage 38 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1.2\n(see s 46)\nOath by person in charge of jury\nI swear (or the person taking the oath may promise) by Almighty God\n(or the person may name a god recognised by the person’s religion)\nthat I will keep this jury in my charge, that I will not allow anyone to\nspeak to any juror, except as allowed or required by law and that I will\nnot speak to any juror myself concerning the issues before the court.\nAffirmation by person in charge of jury\nI solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will keep this jury\nin my charge, that I will not allow anyone to speak to any juror, except\nas allowed or required by law and that I will not speak to any juror\nmyself concerning the issues before the court.\n\nSchedule 1\nPart 1.3\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 39\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1.3\n(see s 47 (2) (a))\nOath by person in charge of jurors on a view\nI swear (or the person taking the oath may promise) by Almighty God\n(or the person may name a god recognised by the person’s religion)\nthat I will faithfully attend this jury to the place (or property) that the\njury has been ordered by the judge to view, that I will not allow\nanyone to speak to any juror concerning the issues before the court,\nother than the persons appointed and sworn to show that place\n(or property) to this jury, except as otherwise allowed or required by\nlaw and that I will not speak to any juror myself concerning the issues\nbefore the court.\nAffirmation by person in charge of jurors on a view\nI solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will faithfully attend\nthis jury to the place (or property) that the jury has been ordered by\nthe judge to view, that I will not allow anyone to speak to any juror\nconcerning the issues before the court, other than the persons\nappointed and sworn to show that place (or property) to this jury,\nexcept as otherwise allowed or required by law and that I will not\nspeak to any juror myself concerning the issues before the court.\n\nSchedule 1\nPart 1.4\npage 40 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1.4\n(see s 47 (2) (b))\nOath by person appointed to conduct a view\nI swear (or the person taking the oath may promise) by Almighty God\n(or the person may name a god recognised by the person’s religion)\nthat I will attend this jury and faithfully show this jury the place\n(or property) that this jury has been ordered by the judge to view and\nthat I will not speak to any juror concerning the issues before the court\notherwise than to describe that place (or property).\nAffirmation by person appointed to conduct a view\nI solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will attend this jury\nand faithfully show this jury the place (or property) that this jury has\nbeen ordered by the judge to view and that I will not speak to any\njuror concerning the issues before the court otherwise than to describe\nthat place (or property).\n\nDictionary\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 41\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 2)\nNote 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to\nthis Act.\nNote 2 For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1 defines the following terms:\n• Act\n• coroner\n• corrections officer\n• director-general (see s 163)\n• director of public prosecutions\n• judge\n• lawyer\n• magistrate\n• police officer.\ncriminal trial includes the trial of an issue whether a prisoner is or is\nnot capable of pleading to an indictment presented against him or her.\ndisqualified person means a person referred to in section 11 (a).\nidentifying number—see section 27 (1) (b) and section 31 (4).\njuror includes a person appointed under section 31 to attend to serve\nas a juror.\njury list means the list prepared from time to time under\nsection 19 (1).\njury pool—see section 27.\njury precept means a precept issued under section 22.\njury summons means a summons under section 24.\nmajority verdict, of a jury consisting of 12 jurors, for part 8\n(Disagreement of jury)—see section 37A.\nperson called means a person whose identifying number is called out\nby the proper officer.\n\nDictionary\npage 42 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nproper officer, in relation to the exercise of a function under this Act,\nmeans a person appointed by the Supreme Court to be the proper\nofficer for the exercise of the function.\nroll of electors of the ACT means a copy of the roll of the electors of\nthe ACT given to the sheriff under the Electoral Act 1992,\nsection 65 (3).\nsheriff—\n(a) for this Act generally—means the sheriff of the Territory; and\n(b) for part 5 (Jury precepts and summonses)—see section 21.\nsupport person—see the Discrimination Act 1991, section 5AA (3).\nunanimous verdict, of a jury, for part 8 (Disagreement of jury)—see\nsection 37A.\nverdict includes a finding.\n\nEndnotes\nAbout the endnotes 1\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 43\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law\nbut are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details\nof these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are\nunderlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 44 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nThis Act was originally a Commonwealth ordinance—the Juries Ordinance 1967\nNo 47 (Cwlth).\nThe Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cwlth), s 34 (4)\nconverted most former Commonwealth ordinances in force in the ACT into ACT\nenactments. This allowed the ACT Legislative Assembly to amend and repeal the\nlaws. This Act was converted into an ACT enactment on 11 May 1989\n(self-government day).\nAs with most ordinances in force in the ACT, the name was changed from\nOrdinance to Act by the Self-Government (Citation of Laws) Act 1989 A1989-21,\ns 5 on 11 May 1989 (self-government day).\nBefore 11 May 1989, ordinances commenced on their notification day unless\notherwise stated (see Seat of Government (Administration) Act 1910 (Cwlth), s 12).\nLegislation before becoming Territory enactment\nJuries Act 1967 A1967-47\nnotified 20 December 1967 (Cwlth Gaz 1967 No 108)\ncommenced 1 January 1968 (s 3)\nas amended by\nOrdinances Revision Ordinance 1977 Ord1977-65 sch 2\nnotified 22 December 1977 (Cwlth Gaz No S294)\ncommenced 22 December 1977\nOrdinances Revision Ordinance 1978 Ord1978-46 sch 2\nnotified 28 December 1978 (Cwlth Gaz No S292)\ncommenced 28 December 1978\nJuries (Amendment) Ordinance 1979 Ord1979-39\nnotified 18 December 1979 (Cwlth Gaz No G50)\ncommenced 1 February 1980 (s 2 and Cwlth Gaz 1980 No G2)\nJuries (Amendment) Ordinance 1981 Ord1981-37\nnotified 30 October 1981 (Cwlth Gaz No S226)\ncommenced 1 December 1981 (s 2 and Cwlth Gaz 1981 No G48)\nJuries (Amendment) Ordinance 1983 Ord1983-6\nnotified 14 April 1983 (Cwlth Gaz No S69)\ncommenced 14 April 1983\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 45\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nJuries (Amendment) Ordinance (No 2) 1983 Ord1983-60\nnotified 30 December 1983 (Cwlth Gaz No S349)\ncommenced 30 December 1983\nJuries (Amendment) Ordinance 1984 Ord1984-8\nnotified 11 April 1984 (Cwlth Gaz No S132)\ncommenced 11 April 1984\nMagistrates Court Ordinance 1985 Ord1985-67 sch pt 1\nnotified 19 December 1985 (Cwlth Gaz No S542)\ncommenced 1 February 1986 (s 2 and Cwlth Gaz 1986 No G3)\nJuries (Amendment) Ordinance 1989 Ord1989-61\nnotified 20 December 1989 (Cwlth Gaz No GN49)\ncommenced 20 December 1989\nLegislation after becoming Territory enactment\nSupreme Court (Amendment) Act (No 2) 1993 A1993-91 sch 3\nnotified 17 December 1993 (Gaz 1993 No S258)\ncommenced 17 December 1993 (s 2)\nElectoral (Amendment) (Consequential Provisions) Act 1994\nA1994-15 pt 5\nnotified 17 May 1994 (Gaz 1994 No S85)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 17 May 1994 (s 2 (1))\npt 5 commenced 25 August 1994 (s 2 (3) and Gaz 1994 No S172)\nPublic Sector Management (Consequential and Transitional\nProvisions) Act 1994 A1994-38 sch 1 pt 50\nnotified 30 June 1994 (Gaz 1994 No S121)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 30 June 1994 (s 2 (1))\nsch 1 pt 50 commenced 1 July 1994 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1994 No S142)\nStatute Law Revision (Penalties) Act 1994 A1994-81 sch\nnotified 29 November 1994 (Gaz 1994 No S253)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 29 November 1994 (s 2 (1))\nsch commenced 29 November 1994 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1994 No S269)\nStatute Law Revision Act 1995 A1995-46 sch\nnotified 18 December 1995 (Gaz 1995 No S306)\ncommenced 18 December 1995 (s 2)\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 46 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nJuries (Amendment) Act 1997 A1997-83\nnotified 25 November 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S360)\nss 12, 21, 26, 28 and 33 commenced 2 February 1998 (s 2 (2), s 2 (3)\nand Gaz 1998 No S42)\nremainder commenced 25 November 1997 (s 2 (1))\nLegal Practitioners (Consequential Amendments) Act 1997 A1997-96\nsch 1\nnotified 1 December 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S380)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 1 December 1997 (s 2 (1))\nsch 1 commenced 1 June 1998 (s 2 (2))\nChildren and Young People (Consequential Amendments) Act 1999\nA1999-64 sch 2\nnotified 10 November 1999 (Gaz 1999 No 45)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 10 November 1999 (s 2 (1))\nsch 2 commenced 10 May 2000 (s 2 (2))\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2000\nA2000-1 sch\nnotified 9 March 2000 (Gaz 2000 No 10)\ncommenced 9 March 2000 (s 2 (1))\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2000\n(No 2) A2000-2 sch\nnotified 9 March 2000 (Gaz 2000 No 10)\ncommenced 9 March 2000 (s 2)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2000 A2000-80 amdt 3.7\nnotified 21 December 2000 (Gaz 2000 No S69)\ncommenced 21 December 2000 (s 2)\nLegislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-44 pt 200\nnotified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B)\npt 200 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001\nNo S65)\nCivil Law (Wrongs) Act 2002 A2002-40 div 3.2.5\nnotified LR 10 October 2002\ns 1, s 2 commenced 10 October 2002 (LA s 75 (1))\ndiv 3.2.5 commenced 1 November 2002 (s 2 (2) and CN2002-13)\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 47\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2003\nA2003-2 pt 9\nnotified LR 3 March 2003\ns 1, s 2 commenced 3 March 2003 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 9 commenced 31 March 2003 (s 2 (2))\nCriminal Code (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences)\nAmendment Act 2004 A2004-15 sch 1 pt 1.25\nnotified LR 26 March 2004\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 March 2004 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.25 commenced 9 April 2004 (s 2 (1))\nEmergencies Act 2004 A2004-28 sch 3 pt 3.11\nnotified LR 29 June 2004\ns 1, s 2 commenced 29 June 2004 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.11 commenced 1 July 2004 (s 2 (1) and CN2004-11)\nHealth Professionals Legislation Amendment Act 2004 A2004-39\nsch 6 pt 6.5\nnotified LR 8 July 2004\ns 1, s 2 commenced 8 July 2004 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 6 pt 6.5 commenced 17 January 2006 (s 2 and see Health\nProfessionals Act 2004 A2004-38, s 2 (as am by A2005-28 amdt 1.1)\nand CN2006-2)\nCourt Procedures (Consequential Amendments) Act 2004 A2004-60\nsch 1 pt 1.33\nnotified LR 2 September 2004\ns 1, s 2 commenced 2 September 2004 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.33 commenced 10 January 2005 (s 2 and see Court\nProcedures Act 2004 A2004-59, s 2 and CN2004-29)\nCriminal Code (Administration of Justice Offences) Amendment\nAct 2005 A2005-53 sch 1 pt 1.16\nnotified LR 26 October 2005\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 October 2005 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.16 commenced 23 November 2005 (s 2)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2005 (No 2) A2005-62 sch 3 pt 3.13\nnotified LR 21 December 2005\ns 1, s 2 commenced 21 December 2005 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.13 commenced 11 January 2006 (s 2 (1))\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 48 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nSentencing Legislation Amendment Act 2006 A2006-23 sch 1 pt 1.24\nnotified LR 18 May 2006\ns 1, s 2 commenced 18 May 2006 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.24 commenced 2 June 2006 (s 2 (1) and see Crimes\n(Sentence Administration) Act 2005 A2005-59 s 2, Crimes\n(Sentencing) Act 2005 A2005-58, s 2 and LA s 79)\nHealth Legislation Amendment Act 2006 (No 2) A2006-46 sch 2\npt 2.10\nnotified LR 17 November 2006\ns 1, s 2 commenced 17 November 2006 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 2 pt 2.10 commenced 18 November 2006 (s 2 (1))\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2008\nA2008-7 sch 1 pt 1.10\nnotified LR 16 April 2008\ns 1, s 2 commenced 16 April 2008 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.10 commenced 7 May 2008 (s 2)\nChildren and Young People (Consequential Amendments) Act 2008\nA2008-20 sch 2 pt 2.10, sch 3 pt 3.17, sch 4 pt 4.17\nnotified LR 17 July 2008\ns 1, s 2 commenced 17 July 2008 (LA s 75 (1))\ns 3 commenced 18 July 2008 (s 2 (1))\nsch 2 pt 2.10 commenced 9 September 2008 (s 2 (3) and see Children\nand Young People Act 2008 A2008-19, s 2 and CN2008-13)\nsch 3 pt 3.17 commenced 27 October 2008 (s 2 (4) and see Children\nand Young People Act 2008 A2008-19, s 2 and CN2008-13)\nsch 4 pt 4.17 commenced 27 February 2009 (s 2 (5) and see Children\nand Young People Act 2008 A2008-19, s 2 and CN2008-17 (and see\nCN2008-13))\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2008 A2008-28 sch 3 pt 3.36\nnotified LR 12 August 2008\ns 1, s 2 commenced 12 August 2008 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.36 commenced 26 August 2008 (s 2)\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 49\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2010\n(No 3) A2010-40 sch 3 pt 3.1\nnotified LR 5 October 2010\ns 1, s 2 commenced 5 October 2010 (LA s 75 (1))\ns 3 commenced 6 October 2010 (s 2 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.1 commenced 2 November 2010 (s 2 (2))\nAdministrative (One ACT Public Service Miscellaneous Amendments)\nAct 2011 A2011-22 sch 1 pt 1.87\nnotified LR 30 June 2011\ns 1, s 2 commenced 30 June 2011 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.87 commenced 1 July 2011 (s 2 (1))\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2014 A2014-18 sch 3 pt 3.12\nnotified LR 20 May 2014\ns 1, s 2 commenced 20 May 2014 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.12 commenced 10 June 2014 (s 2 (1))\nJudicial Commissions Amendment Act 2015 A2015-1 sch 1 pt 1.5\n(as am by A2015-52 s 28)\nnotified LR 25 February 2015\ns 1, s 2 commenced 25 February 2015 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.5 commenced 1 February 2017 (s 2 (as am by A2015-52\ns 28))\nCourts Legislation Amendment Act 2015 A2015-10 pt 10\nnotified LR 7 April 2015\ns 1, s 2 commenced 7 April 2015 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 10 commenced 21 April 2015 (s 2 (2))\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2015 (No 2) A2015-50 sch 3 pt 3.21\nnotified LR 25 November 2015\ns 1, s 2 commenced 25 November 2015 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.21 commenced 9 December 2015 (s 2)\nCourts Legislation Amendment Act 2015 (No 2) A2015-52 pt 10, pt 11\nnotified LR 26 November 2015\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 November 2015 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 10 (s 28), pt 11 commenced 10 December 2015 (s 2 (2))\nNote Pt 10 (s 28) only amends the Judicial Commissions\nAmendment Act 2015 A2015-1\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 50 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2017\nA2017-5 sch 1 pt 1.7\nnotified LR 23 February 2017\ns 1, s 2 commenced 23 February 2017 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.7 commenced 2 March 2017 (s 2 (3))\nCourts and Other Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2018 A2018-9\npt 11\nnotified LR 29 March 2018\ns 1, s 2 commenced 29 March 2018 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 11 commenced 26 April 2018 (s 2)\nCrimes Legislation Amendment Act 2024 A2024-12 pt 8\nnotified LR 19 April 2024\ns 1, s 2 commenced 19 April 2024 (LA s 75 (1))\ns 14, s 15, s 18 commenced 19 October 2024 (s 2 (2))\npt 8 remainder commenced 26 April 2024 (s 2 (1))\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 51\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Amendment history\nDictionary\ns 2 om Ord1978-46 sch 2\nins A2005-62 amdt 3.137\nNotes\ns 3 om R5 LRA\nins A2005-62 amdt 3.137\nOffences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc\ns 4 om Ord1977-65 sch 2\nins A2024-12 s 13\nRepeal and saving\ns 5 om A1997-83 s 4\nInterpretation for Act\ns 6 am A2001-44 amdt 1.2278, amdt 1.2279\ndefs reloc to dict A2005-62 amdt 3.136\nom A2005-62 amdt 3.137\ndef civil trial am A1993-91 sch 3\nom A2002-40 amdt 3.13\ndef court ins A1997-83 s 5\nom A2005-62 amdt 3.133\ndef judge ins Ord1989-61 s 6\nsub A1993-91 sch 3\nom A2005-62 amdt 3.134\ndef magistrate om Ord1985-67 sch pt 1\ndef the City Area om A1997-83 s 5\ndef the Judge om Ord1989-61 s 3\ndef the proper officer om A1997-83 s 5\ndef the Registrar om A1997-83 s 5\ndef the Roll of electors for the Territory om Ord1989-61 s 3\ndef the Sheriff om A1997-83 s 5\nNumber of jurors\ns 7 sub A2002-40 amdt 3.14\nReduced number of jurors\ns 8 am Ord1989-61 s 4; A2002-40 amdts 3.15-3.17; ss renum\nR7 LA\nPersons not qualified to serve as jurors\ns 10 am A1997-83 s 6; A2000-80 amdt 3.7; A2006-23 amdt 1.207;\nA2008-7 amdt 1.55; pars renum R18 LA\nom A2018-9 s 60\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 52 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDisqualified people, exempt people and people who may claim exemption\ns 11 am Ord1979-39 s 4; Ord1989-61 s 5; A1994-38 sch 1 pt 50;\nA1997-83 s 7; A1997-96 sch 1; A1999-64 sch 2; pars renum\nR7 LA\nsub A2003-2 s 49; A2018-9 s 61\nRight of women to claim exemption from jury service\ns 12 om Ord1979-39 s 5\nExcusing of jurors\ns 14 sub Ord1979-39 s 6\nam A1997-83 s 8\nsub A2018-9 s 62\nPartners or coworkers as jurors\ns 15 am A1997-83 s 9\nsub A2018-9 s 63\nReasonable support because of insufficient understanding or disability\ns 16 am A1997-83 s 10\nsub A2018-9 s 64\nExcusing person if liability in doubt\ns 17 am A1997-83 s 11\nRelief from jury service\ns 18A ins Ord1984-8 s 3\nsub A1997-83 s 12\nam A2002-40 amdt 3.18\nJury list\ns 19 am Ord1984-8 s 4; A1994-15 s 15\nsub A1997-83 s 13\nReviews in connection with jury lists\ns 20 om A1997-83 s 13\nMeaning of sheriff in pt 5\ns 21 sub A1993-91 sch 3\nJury precepts\ns 22 am A1997-83 s 14; A2008-28 amdt 3.101\nTerms of precept\ns 23 am A1997-83 s 15; A2001-44 amdt 1.2280, amdt 1.2281\nom A2004-60 amdt 1.162\nChoosing jurors\ns 24 am Ord1983-60 s 3; A1997-83 s 16; A2001-44 amdt 1.2282,\namdt 1.2283; ss and pars renum R7 LA; A2004-60\namdt 1.162; A2018-9 ss 65-70; ss renum R31 LA\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 53\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nJurors not liable to be summoned until jury list exhausted\ns 25 om A1997-83 s 17\nService of jury summonses\ns 26 am A2008-28 amdt 3.102\nApplication for withdrawal of summons\ns 26A ins A1997-83 s 18\nPreparation of jury pool, allocation of identifying numbers and excused\njurors\ns 27 hdg sub A2015-52 s 29\ns 27 am Ord1983-60 s 4; A2015-52 s 30\nsub A2018-9 s 71\nRecord of identifying numbers\ns 27A ins A2015-52 s 31\nsub A2018-9 s 72\nSheriff’s return to precept\ns 28 am A1997-83 s 19; A2015-52 s 32\nsub A2018-9 s 73\nInspection of jury pools\ns 29 am A1997-83 s 20; A1997-96 sch 1; A2002-40\namdts 3.19-3.21\nsub A2018-9 s 73\nInformalities etc not to invalidate verdict\ns 30 am A2015-52 s 33; A2018-9 s 74\nEmpanelling jury for criminal trial\npt 6 hdg sub A2015-52 s 34\nEmpanelling a jury\ns 31 sub A2015-52 s 34\nam A2018-9 ss 75-79\nExpanded juries in some criminal trials\ns 31A ins A1997-83 s 21\nam A2018-9 s 80\nStriking a jury at a civil trial\ns 32 am A1997-83 s 22; A1997-96 sch 1\nom A2002-40 amdt 3.22\nStanding persons by\ns 33 am A1997-96 sch 1; A2015-52 s 35, s 36\nsub A2018-9 s 81\nChallenges at criminal trials\ns 34 am Ord1989-61 s 6; A1997-96 sch 1; pars renum R7 LA\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 54 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nChallenge at civil trial\ns 36 am A1997-96 sch 1\nom A2002-40 amdt 3.22\nTrial of challenge for cause\ns 36A ins Ord1981-37 s 4\nDefinitions—pt 8\ns 37A ins A2024-12 s 14\ndef majority verdict ins A2024-12 s 14\ndef unanimous verdict ins A2024-12 s 14\nMajority verdict sufficient for offences against territory laws at certain\ncriminal trials\ns 38 am A1997-83 s 23\nsub A2024-12 s 14\nDischarge of jury where no verdict likely to be reached\ns 39 om A2002-40 amdt 3.22\nins A2024-12 s 14\nAdjournment of trial on discharge of jury for disagreement\ns 40 am A2002-40 amdt 3.23; A2024-12 s 15\nNonattendance\ns 41 am Ord1989-61 s 7; A1994-81 sch\nsub A1997-83 s 24\nam A2018-9 s 82\nLeaving without permission\ns 42 sub A1997-83 s 24\nam A2018-9 s 82\nFailing to comply with conditions\ns 42A ins A1997-83 s 24\nam A2018-9 s 82\nContravention of s 41, s 42 and s 42A\ns 42B ins A1997-83 s 24\nam A2001-44 amdt 1.2284, amdt 1.2285; A2004-60\namdt 1.162; A2008-28 amdt 3.103\nsub A2018-9 s 83\nImproper inquiry by juror about matters relevant to trial\ns 42BA ins A2024-12 s 16\nConfidentiality of jury deliberations and identities\ns 42C ins A1997-83 s 24\nam A2000-1 sch; A2000-2 sch; A2024-12 s 17\nPersonation of jurors\ns 43 am Ord1989-61 s 8; A1994-81 sch; A2018-9 s 84\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 55\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nCorruptly influencing a juror\ns 44 am A1994-81 sch\nom A2005-53 amdt 1.87\nUnlawful dismissal etc of employees for jury service\ns 44AA ins Ord1989-61 s 9\nam A1994-81 sch; A2004-60 amdt 1.163\nActs and omissions of representatives\ns 44AB ins A1997-83 s 25\nsub A2004-15 amdt 1.29\nInterpretation\ns 44A ins Ord1981-37 s 5\nom R3 LRA\nOath by jurors\ns 45 am Ord1981-37 s 6\nsub A1997-83 s 26\nam A2001-44 amdt 1.2286; A2018-9 s 85\nOath by interpreter\ns 45A ins A2018-9 s 86\nOath by support person\ns 45B ins A2018-9 s 86\nOath by person in charge of jury\ns 46 am Ord1981-37 s 7\nsub A1997-83 s 26\nam A2001-44 amdt 1.2286\nInformation for jurors\ns 46A ins A1997-83 s 27\nView during trial\ns 47 am Ord1981-37 s 8; A1997-83 s 28; A2001-44 amdt 1.2286;\nA2002-40 amdt 3.24, amdt 3.25\nAffirmations\ns 48 am Ord1981-37 s 9\nom A1997-83 s 29\nFood and refreshment for jury\ns 49 sub A2018-9 s 87\nSeparation of jury at criminal trials\ns 50 am Ord1989-61 s 10\nom A1997-83 s 29\nPayment of jurors\ns 51 sub A2010-40 amdt 3.1\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 56 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPayment of juror’s expenses\ns 51A ins Ord1983-6 s 3\nam A1997-83 s 30; A2005-62 amdt 3.138\nRegulation-making power\ns 52 am Ord1983-6 s 4; A1995-46 sch\nsub A2001-44 amdt 1.2287\nJuries Regulation 2018—sch 2\ns 53 ins A2018-9 s 88\nexp 26 April 2018 (s 53 (5))\nSchedule 1\nsch 1 orig sch 1 om A1997-83 s 31\n(prev sch 2) renum as sch 1 A1997-83 s 32\nam A1997-83 s 32\nom A2001-44 amdt 1.2288\n(prev sch 2) ins A1997-83 s 33\nrenum as sch 1 A2001-44 amdt 1.2289\npts renum R7 LA\nam A2018-9 ss 90-92\nJuries Regulation 2018\nsch 2 orig sch 2 renum as sch 1\nprev sch 2 renum as sch 1\npres sch 2 ins A2003-2 s 50\nam A2004-28 amdt 3.30, amdt 3.31; A2004-39 amdt 6.6;\nA2006-23 amdt 1.208; A2006-46 amdt 2.27; A2008-7\namdt 1.56, amdt 1.57; A2008-20 amdt 2.21, amdt 3.34,\namdt 4.41; items renum R22 LA; A2011-22 amdt 1.265,\namdt 1.266, A2015-10 s 31; A2015-50 amdt 3.113,\namdt 3.114; items renum R27 LA; A2015-1 amdt 1.5;\nA2017-5 amdt 1.15, amdt 1.16; items renum R30 LA\nom A2018-9 s 93\nins A2018-9 s 89\nexp 26 April 2018 (s 53 (5))\nSchedule 3\nsch 3 om Ord1981-37 s 10\nDictionary\ndict ins A2005-62 amdt 3.139\nam A2006-23 amdt 1.209; A2011-22 amdt 1.267; A2014-18\namdt 3.51, amdt 3.52\ndef ballot-box sub A1997-83 s 5\nreloc from s 6 A2005-62 amdt 3.136\nom A2018-9 s 94\ndef criminal trial reloc from s 6 A2005-62 amdt 3.136\ndef disqualified person reloc from s 6 A2005-62 amdt 3.136\nam A2018-9 s 95\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 57\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\ndef identifying number ins A2015-52 s 38\nam A2018-9 s 96\ndef juror reloc from s 6 A2005-62 amdt 3.136\ndef jury card reloc from s 6 A2005-62 amdt 3.136\nam A2015-52 s 37\nom A2018-9 s 97\ndef jury list ins A1997-83 s 5\nreloc from s 6 A2005-62 amdt 3.136\ndef jury pool ins A2018-9 s 98\ndef jury precept reloc from s 6 A2005-62 amdt 3.136\ndef jury summons reloc from s 6 A2005-62 amdt 3.136\ndef majority verdict ins A2024-12 s 18\ndef panel of jurors reloc from s 6 A2005-62 amdt 3.136\nom A2018-9 s 99\ndef person called reloc from s 6 A2005-62 amdt 3.136\nsub A2015-52 s 39; A2018-9 s 100\ndef proper officer ins A1997-83 s 5\nreloc from s 6 A2005-62 amdt 3.136\ndef registrar ins A1997-83 s 5\nreloc from s 6 A2005-62 amdt 3.136\nom A2014-18 amdt 3.53\ndef roll of electors for the Territory ins Ord1989-61 s 6\nsub A1994-15 s 14\nreloc from s 6 A2005-62 amdt 3.136\ndef sheriff ins A1997-83 s 5\nsub A2005-62 amdt 3.135\nreloc from s 6 A2005-62 amdt 3.136\nsub A2008-7 amdt 1.58\ndef support person ins A2018-9 s 101\ndef unanimous verdict ins A2024-12 s 18\ndef verdict reloc from s 6 A2005-62 amdt 3.136\n\nEndnotes\n5 Earlier republications\npage 58 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications are\nmarked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication\nNo and date\nEffective Last\namendment\nmade by\nRepublication\nfor\nR1\n31 Aug 1993\n20 Dec 1989–\n16 Dec 1993\nOrd1989-61 initial republication\nsince self-\ngovernment\nR1 (RI)\n24 Oct 2007\n20 Dec 1989–\n16 Dec 1993\nOrd1989-61 reissue of printed\nversion\nR1A\n24 Oct 2007\n17 Dec 1993–\n16 May 1994\nA1993-91 amendments by\nA1993-91\nR1B\n24 Oct 2007\n25 Aug 1994–\n28 Nov 1994\nA1994-38 amendments by\nA1994-15 and\nA1994-38\nR2\n28 Feb 1995\n29 Nov 1994–\n17 Dec 1995\nA1994-81 amendments by\nA1994-81\nR2 (RI)\n24 Oct 2007\n29 Nov 1994–\n17 Dec 1995\nA1994-81 reissue of printed\nversion\nR3\n30 Nov 1996\n18 Dec 1995–\n24 Nov 1997\nA1995-46 amendments by\nA1995-46\nR3 (RI)\n24 Oct 2007\n18 Dec 1995–\n24 Nov 1997\nA1995-46 reissue of printed\nversion\nR3A\n24 Oct 2007\n25 Nov 1997–\n1 Feb 1998\nA1997-83 amendments by\nA1997-83\nR4\n28 Feb 1999\n1 June 1998–\n8 Mar 2000\nA1997-96 amendments by\nA1997-83 and\nA1997-96\nR4 (RI)\n24 Oct 2007\n1 June 1998–\n8 Mar 2000\nA1997-96 reissue of printed\nversion\n\nEndnotes\nEarlier republications 5\nR34\n19/10/24\nJuries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\npage 59\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nRepublication\nNo and date\nEffective Last\namendment\nmade by\nRepublication\nfor\nR4A\n24 Oct 2007\n10 May 2000–\n20 Dec 2000\nA2000-2 amendments by\nA1999-64, A2000-1\nand A2000-2\nR5\n15 June 2001\n21 Dec 2000–\n11 Sept 2001\nA2000-80 amendments by\nA2000-80\nR5 (RI)\n24 Oct 2007\n21 Dec 2000–\n11 Sept 2001\nA2000-80 reissue of printed\nversion\nR6\n12 Sept 2001\n12 Sept 2001–\n31 Oct 2002\nA2001-44 amendments by\nA2001-44\nR7\n1 Nov 2002\n1 Nov 2002–\n30 Mar 2003\nA2002-40 amendments by\nA2002-40\nR8\n31 Mar 2003\n31 Mar 2003–\n8 Apr 2004\nA2003-2 amendments by\nA2003-2\nR9\n9 Apr 2004\n9 Apr 2004–\n30 June 2004\nA2004-15 amendments by\nA2004-15\nR10\n1 July 2004\n1 July 2004–\n9 Jan 2005\nA2004-28 amendments by\nA2004-28\nR11\n10 Jan 2005\n10 Jan 2005–\n6 July 2005\nA2004-60 amendments by\nA2004-60\nR12\n7 July 2005\n7 July 2005–\n22 Nov 2005\nA2004-60 updated endnotes\nR13\n23 Nov 2005\n23 Nov 2005–\n10 Jan 2006\nA2005-53 amendments by\nA2005-53\nR14\n11 Jan 2006\n11 Jan 2006–\n16 Jan 2006\nA2005-62 amendments by\nA2005-62\nR15*\n17 Jan 2006\n17 Jan 2006–\n1 June 2006\nA2005-62 amendments by\nA2004-39\nR16\n2 June 2006\n2 June 2006–\n17 Nov 2006\nA2006-23 amendments by\nA2006-23\nR17\n18 Nov 2006\n18 Nov 2006–\n6 May 2008\nA2006-46 amendments by\nA2006-46\nR18\n7 May 2008\n7 May 2008–\n25 Aug 2008\nA2008-7 amendments by\nA2008-7\n\nEndnotes\n5 Earlier republications\npage 60 Juries Act 1967\nEffective: 19/10/24\nR34\n19/10/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nRepublication\nNo and date\nEffective Last\namendment\nmade by\nRepublication\nfor\nR19\n26 Aug 2008\n26 Aug 2008–\n8 Sept 2008\nA2008-28 amendments by\nA2008-28\nR20\n9 Sept 2008\n9 Sept 2008–\n26 Oct 2008\nA2008-28 amendments by\nA2008-20\nR21\n27 Oct 2008\n27 Oct 2008–\n26 Feb 2009\nA2008-28 amendments by\nA2008-20\nR22\n27 Feb 2009\n27 Feb 2009–\n1 Nov 2010\nA2008-28 amendments by\nA2008-20\nR23*\n2 Nov 2010\n2 Nov 2010–\n30 June 2011\nA2010-40 amendments by\nA2010-40\nR24\n1 July 2011\n1 July 2011–\n9 June 2014\nA2011-22 amendments by\nA2011-22\nR25\n10 June 2014\n10 June 2014–\n20 Apr 2015\nA2014-18 amendments by\nA2014-18\nR26\n21 Apr 2015\n21 Apr 2015–\n8 Dec 2015\nA2015-10 amendments by\nA2015-10\nR27\n9 Dec 2015\n9 Dec 2015–\n9 Dec 2015\nA2015-50 amendments by\nA2015-50\nR28\n10 Dec 2015\n10 Dec 2015–\n31 Jan 2017\nA2015-52 amendments by\nA2015-52\nR29\n1 Feb 2017\n1 Feb 2017–\n1 Mar 2017\nA2015-52 amendments by\nA2015-1 as am by\nA2015-52\nR30\n2 Mar 2017\n2 Mar 2017–\n25 Apr 2018\nA2017-5 amendments by\nA2017-5\nR31\n26 Apr 2018\n26 Apr 2018–\n26 Apr 2018\nA2018-9 amendments by\nA2018-9\nR32\n27 Apr 2018\n27 Apr 2018–\n25 Apr 2024\nA2018-9 expiry of provisions\n(s 53 and sch 2)\nR33\n26 Apr 2024\n26 Apr 2024–\n18 Oct 2024\nA2024-12 amendments by\nA2024-12\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n© Australian Capital Territory 2024","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act’s operational scope has been expanded since its original enactment by adding or strengthening procedural and offence provisions. Notable scope changes in the republished text include: the introduction of confidentiality offences and prosecution controls for jury deliberations and juror identities (s 42C); an offence prohibiting jurors making improper inquiries after being sworn (s 42BA); formal provisions for providing interpreters and support persons to enable jurors with limited English or disability to serve (s 16; ss 45A–45B); explicit rules for expanded juries and adjusted peremptory challenge counts (s 31A); electronic keeping of jury lists and unique identifying numbers with confidentiality requirements (s 19(3); s 27A); and administrative enforcement measures allowing the sheriff to offer penalty payments in lieu of court action (s 42B). These additions increase administrative, prosecutorial and record-keeping responsibilities for courts and expand the circumstances in which criminal sanctions and discretionary fixes (majority verdicts, expanded juries) may apply."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple decision-makers with significant discretion (judges and the sheriff) across excusal, selection, support and enforcement (see ss 8, 14, 16, 24, 27, 42B, 31A).","A mix of procedural rules (selection, summons service times s 26), record-keeping obligations (s 27A), and criminal offence provisions with varying penalties (ss 41–44AB, 42BA, 42C).","Options for expanded juries and adjusted peremptory challenges that alter standard trial mechanics (s 31A).","Confidentiality and prosecution gatekeeping requirements (s 42C(10)) interacting with publication and research exceptions (s 42C(5)–(8)).","Integration with external instruments and delegated decision-making: Ministerial determinations for payments and meal allowances (ss 49, 51), and regulations under s 52 affecting disqualifications/exemptions (s 11)."],"plain_english_summary":"## What this law does, who it affects, and how it works (plain English)\n\nThis Act sets the rules for jury service in the Australian Capital Territory. It governs who must serve, how juries are selected and sworn, what jurors may and may not do, penalties for improper conduct, and how jurors are paid or excused.\n\nKey mechanics (what changes or controls behaviour):\n\n- Jury size and reduced panels: A criminal jury is normally 12 people (s 7). A judge can excuse individual jurors for illness or other sufficient cause (s 8(1)). If jurors are lost and at least 10 remain, the judge may order the trial to continue with the reduced panel and that the verdict of those jurors is sufficient (s 8(2)). If jurors fall below 10 the judge must discharge the jury and adjourn the trial (s 8(3)).\n\n- Who is liable to serve: People on the ACT electoral roll are liable to serve unless regulations make them disqualified, exempt or able to claim exemption (s 9; s 11). A person remains required to attend after receiving a summons unless the sheriff has been told and has excused them (s 13).\n\n- Excusal and special arrangements: A judge or the sheriff may excuse a summoned person for sufficient reason (examples listed at s 14). The judge or sheriff can excuse one or more partners/coworkers if attendance would substantially inconvenience the business (s 15). A judge must consider whether reasonable support (for example, an interpreter, Auslan interpreter, assistance animal, disability aid or support person) can be provided to enable a juror with limited English or disability to serve; if reasonable, the judge must direct that support be given (s 16(1)–(4)). The judge may discharge a person if support cannot reasonably be provided (s 16(5)).\n\n- Jury lists, selection and identifying numbers: The sheriff prepares a jury list (normally once every 2 years) from the electoral roll and may keep it electronically (s 19(1), (3), (4)). Judges issue precepts requiring the sheriff to summon jurors (s 22). The sheriff chooses names randomly from the jury list and prepares a jury roll and jury pool; unique identifying numbers are allocated to people in the jury pool (s 24(1), (3); s 27(1)(b)). The sheriff keeps records of identifying numbers confidential (s 27A(1)–(2)).\n\n- How juries are empanelled and expanded panels: At trial, identifying numbers are randomly called and those called enter the jury box until 12 have entered and been sworn (s 31(1)–(6)). If necessary, the judge can direct that more than 12 but fewer than 17 jurors be empanelled (expanded jury) and the Act applies as if the larger number were the jury; before deliberation the proper officer reduces the panel randomly to 12 (s 31A(1)–(5)). Expanded panels change the number of peremptory challenges available (s 31A(3)).\n\n- Challenges and standing by: The Crown and the accused each have 8 peremptory challenges and any number of challenges for cause (s 34(1)–(2)). The court may order a person to stand by until all identifying numbers are called (s 33).\n\n- Ending a deadlocked jury: For 12-person juries in trials for Territory offences, a majority verdict (11 of 12) is valid if at least 6 hours of deliberation has passed and the judge, after examining one or more jurors on oath, is satisfied a unanimous verdict is unlikely (s 37A; s 38). A judge may discharge a jury if, after at least 6 hours and examination on oath, the jury is not likely to reach a unanimous or, where permitted, a majority verdict (s 39). The judge must then adjourn the trial (s 40).\n\n- Conduct rules, secrecy and offences: Jurors must make an oath or affirmation before serving (s 45). Jurors must not make improper inquiries for information about a trial after being sworn (s 42BA) — that offence can carry imprisonment (s 42BA(1)). The Act makes it an offence to disclose or publish protected information about jury deliberations or juror identities (s 42C). There are also offences for failing to attend a summons without reasonable reason (s 41), leaving court without permission (s 42), personating a juror (s 43), and unlawful dismissal of employees for jury service (s 44AA). Penalties are specified in the Act; the republication notes the penalty unit values at the republication date (penalty unit: $160 for an individual, $810 for a corporation).\n\n- Payments and expenses: Jurors are entitled to be paid an amount set by the Minister for attendance, whether or not they actually sit (s 51). The sheriff may order refreshments or determine a meal allowance and the Minister sets the amounts (s 49). A juror who incurs particular expenses during service may apply to the sheriff for reimbursement (s 51A).\n\n- Administration and enforcement powers: The sheriff does much of the operational work — choosing jurors, issuing summonses, maintaining records, serving notices about breaches and accepting penalty payments as an alternative to court proceedings (s 24; s 26; s 27; s 27A; s 42B). Judges have broad powers to excuse jurors, direct supports, expand juries, try challenges for cause, and decide whether to accept majority verdicts (s 8(1)–(3); s 14; s 16; s 31A; s 36A; s 38).\n\nOfficial rationale (as described in the text): the Act provides the legal framework for empanelling juries, protecting the confidentiality of jury deliberations and identities, and setting offences and penalties for behaviour that would compromise the jury process (see the Act heading and the offence provisions, notably s 42BA and s 42C).\n\nHow the Act’s mechanisms affect incentives, costs and choices (testing purpose-claims against trade-offs):\n\n- Who pays and who benefits: Jurors receive payments and meal allowances determined by the Minister (s 49; s 51). Employers cannot lawfully dismiss or punish employees for jury service; that creates a direct benefit to employees and a compliance cost and legal risk for employers (s 44AA).\n\n- Administrative burden and discretion: The sheriff and judges exercise substantial discretion (for selection, excusal, support directions, removal from the jury roll and administrative enforcement) (e.g. s 24, s 27, s 27A, s 14, s 16, s 42B). That discretion concentrates operational responsibility in court officers and creates administrative costs (record-keeping, security, confidentiality controls — s 27A; restricted inspection of jury pools — s 29). Section 16 explicitly instructs judges to consider court resources and possible inhibition of deliberations when deciding on supports, thus acknowledging resource trade-offs (s 16(3)(a)–(c)).\n\n- Compliance burden on citizens: Individuals called to serve must attend within timeframes set in the summons rules (service by hand at least 4 clear days before attendance or by post at least 7 clear days — s 26). Failure to comply without reasonable excuse can attract penalties or a notice offering a small penalty payment in lieu of court proceedings (s 41; s 42B). Those rules create time and potential financial costs for individuals and require administrative follow-up by the sheriff.\n\n- Confidentiality, enforcement and legal risk: The confidentiality provisions (s 42C) and the prohibition on juror inquiries (s 42BA) impose criminal penalties; prosecutions for disclosure offences require written consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions (s 42C(10)). This creates a gatekeeping step on enforcement and a legal threshold that concentrates prosecutorial discretion.\n\n- Effects on private choice and court outcomes: Allowing judges to empanel more jurors temporarily (s 31A) and to accept majority verdicts in certain Territory trials (s 38) changes the dynamics of deliberation and the strategic value of peremptory challenges (s 31A(3) adjusts available peremptory challenges when panels are larger). These provisions can reduce mistrials and retrials (by allowing verdicts when unanimity is unlikely) but also alter the margin required for conviction in some cases.\n\n- Implementation risks and substitution effects: The Act permits electronic jury lists and random selection by electronic means (s 19(3); s 24(3); s 31(1)), which can improve efficiency but requires secure record-keeping (s 27A(2)) and raises operational risks if systems fail; s 31(3) and (4) provide a fallback to appoint eligible people present in or near court.\n\nConcise statement of who decides, who pays, and what changes in behaviour:\n\n- Who decides: Judges and the sheriff exercise primary decision-making authority (s 14, s 16, s 24, s 27, s 31A, s 42B). The Minister sets payment amounts and meal allowances (s 49; s 51).\n- Who pays: The public pays juror attendance and meal allowances as determined by the Minister (s 49; s 51). Penalty-unit based fines for offences are payable by individuals or corporations (penalty unit values noted in the republication header).\n- What behaviour changes: Eligible electors must attend when summoned (s 9; s 41), may be excused in prescribed circumstances (s 14–18A), must not investigate trial matters or disclose jury deliberations/identities (s 42BA; s 42C), and employers must not penalise employees for attending jury service (s 44AA).\n\nPractical trade-offs to watch for in implementation and use:\n\n- Concentrated enforcement costs and prosecutorial gatekeeping for confidentiality offences (s 42C(10)).\n- Administrative and technological costs to maintain secure, confidential electronic lists and identifying-number records (s 19(3); s 27A(2)).\n- Court resource trade-offs when providing supports to jurors with limited English or disability (s 16(3)(a)).\n- Operational discretion by judges and the sheriff that will shape how often exceptions (excusals, expanded juries, majority verdicts) are used (multiple provisions cited above).\n\nSections to note for quick reference: jury size and reduced panels (ss 7–8); eligibility and excusal (ss 9, 11, 13–18A); jury lists and selection (ss 19, 22, 24, 26, 27, 27A, 29–31, 31A); juror conduct and confidentiality offences (ss 41–44AB, 42BA, 42C); juror payments and expenses (ss 49, 51, 51A); regulation-making power (s 52)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has expanded significantly from its original 1967 scope. Originally focused on basic jury selection and civil trials, it has grown to include: detailed provisions for supporting jurors with disabilities (s 16, added 2018), expanded juries for complex trials (s 31A, added 1997), specific offences for improper juror inquiries including internet research (s 42BA, added 2024), comprehensive confidentiality protections for jury deliberations (s 42C, added 1997), and employer protection provisions (s 44AA). Civil jury trials were removed in 2002, shifting focus exclusively to criminal matters while adding modern administrative procedures."},"complexity_factors":["57-year-old statute with 34 republications and extensive amendment history (58 pages of endnotes)","Multiple cross-references to other ACT legislation (Criminal Code, Discrimination Act, Electoral Act, Court Procedures Act)","Nested conditional logic in jury selection procedures (ss 24-31) with multiple exception pathways","Complex offence provisions with tiered penalties and specific defences (ss 42BA, 42C)","Detailed procedural requirements for expanded juries (s 31A) with mathematical adjustments to challenge numbers","Specific oath/affirmation forms in Schedule 1 with religious and secular alternatives","Interaction between common law rules and statutory modifications (e.g., s 16(4) overriding common law rule against non-jurors in jury room)"],"plain_english_summary":"This is the ACT's Juries Act 1967, which sets out how juries are selected and run for criminal trials in the Australian Capital Territory.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Who serves:** Generally, anyone on the ACT electoral roll can be called for jury duty unless they're disqualified (e.g., by serious criminal convictions), exempt (e.g., certain public officials), or excused (e.g., for illness, pregnancy, or caring responsibilities).\n- **How juries are formed:** The sheriff prepares a jury list from the electoral roll, randomly selects people to summon, and creates a \"jury pool.\" At trial, 12 jurors are randomly selected from this pool.\n- **Trial size:** Criminal trials usually have 12 jurors, but judges can order \"expanded juries\" of up to 16 jurors for complex cases (with extra jurors dismissed before deliberations).\n- **Challenges:** Both prosecution and defence can challenge potential jurors—either \"peremptory challenges\" (8 each, no reason needed) or \"challenges for cause\" (unlimited, but must show reason).\n- **Verdicts:** For most ACT offences, an 11-1 majority verdict is allowed if the jury can't reach unanimous agreement after at least 6 hours of deliberation. If no verdict is possible, the judge discharges the jury.\n- **Support for jurors:** Judges can provide interpreters (including Auslan), support persons, or assistance animals for jurors with language barriers or disabilities, even allowing them in the jury room during deliberations (overriding the usual rule against non-jurors being present).\n- **Offences:** It is illegal to skip jury duty without good reason, leave court without permission, impersonate a juror, improperly research the case (e.g., using Google), or disclose jury deliberations or jurors' identities. Employers cannot sack staff for doing jury duty.\n- **Payment:** Jurors receive payment for attendance and can claim expenses for costs incurred due to service.\n\n**Why it matters:** This law ensures fair trials by random selection of ordinary citizens while protecting jurors from undue influence, harassment, or financial hardship. Recent updates (2024) strengthened protections against jurors conducting their own research and clarified rules for majority verdicts."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/juries-act-1967","history":"/api/acts/juries-act-1967/history","analysis":"/api/acts/juries-act-1967/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/juries-act-1967/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/juries-act-1967/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/juries-act-1967/documents"}}