{"id":"a-2026-9","name":"Juries (Peremptory Challenges) Amendment Act 2026","slug":"juries-peremptory-challenges-amendment-act-2026","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"9 of 2026","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":454074,"registerId":"act-a-2026-9-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-05-15","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Act","content":"1 Name of Act\nThis Act is the Juries (Peremptory Challenges) Amendment Act 2026.\n","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"2 Commencement\nThis Act commences on the day after its notification day.\nNote The naming and commencement provisions automatically commence on\nthe notification day (see Legislation Act, s 75 (1)).\n","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Legislation amended","content":"3 Legislation amended\nThis Act amends the Juries Act 1967.\n","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Expanded juries in some criminal trials","content":"4 Expanded juries in some criminal trials\nSection 31A (3)\nomit\n8 peremptory challenges\n4 peremptory challenges\n","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Section 31A (3) (a) to (c)","content":"5 Section 31A (3) (a) to (c)\n(a) if the judge directs that 13 or 14 jurors be empanelled—\nreferences to 5 peremptory challenges; or\n(b) if the judge directs that 15 jurors be empanelled—references to\n6 peremptory challenges; or\n(c) if the judge directs that 16 jurors be empanelled—references to\n7 peremptory challenges.\n\nA2026-9 Juries (Peremptory Challenges) Amendment Act 2026 page 3\n","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Challenges at criminal trials","content":"6 Challenges at criminal trials\nSection 34 (1) (a) and (2) (a)\nomit\n8 peremptory challenges\n4 peremptory challenges\nEndnotes\n1 Presentation speech\nPresentation speech made in the Legislative Assembly on 3 December 2025.\n2 Notification\nNotified under the Legislation Act on 15 May 2026.\n3 Republications of amended laws\nFor the latest republication of amended laws, see www.legislation.act.gov.au.\nI certify that the above is a true copy of the Juries (Peremptory Challenges)\nAmendment Bill 2026, which originated in the Legislative Assembly as the Juries\n(Peremptory Challenges) Amendment Bill 2025 and was passed by the Assembly\non 6 May 2026.\nClerk of the Legislative Assembly","sortOrder":5}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"_sourceCoverage":{"mode":"whole_source","sourceChars":2153,"sourceSha256":"3d65e1936115c485d7f201044b4b0b0f3bdcb1b762cae94a6cadb8004d44cb5e","suppliedChars":2153},"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"On the face of the supplied text, the Act is limited to changing peremptory-challenge numbers in criminal trials, consistent with its stated purpose of amending the Juries Act 1967. The material provided does not independently establish the original intent. This is general legal information, not legal advice; Zoe can make mistakes, and a qualified Australian lawyer should check it before you rely on it."},"complexity_factors":["The Act makes a small number of direct substitutions in the Juries Act 1967.","The expanded-jury challenge numbers depend on whether 13, 14, 15 or 16 jurors are empanelled.","The supplied text contains no substantial definitions, nested exceptions or complex cross-references."],"plain_english_summary":"The Act reduces the number of peremptory challenges (a way to reject a potential juror without giving a reason) in criminal trials: from eight to four under sections 4 and 6. For expanded juries, section 5 sets the numbers at five for 13 or 14 jurors, six for 15, and seven for 16. This changes how many jurors each side may challenge. This is general legal information, not legal advice; Zoe can make mistakes, and a qualified Australian lawyer should check it before you rely on it."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/juries-peremptory-challenges-amendment-act-2026","history":"/api/acts/juries-peremptory-challenges-amendment-act-2026/history","analysis":"/api/acts/juries-peremptory-challenges-amendment-act-2026/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/juries-peremptory-challenges-amendment-act-2026/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/juries-peremptory-challenges-amendment-act-2026/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/juries-peremptory-challenges-amendment-act-2026/documents"}}