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Name of Act
1 Name of Act This Act is the Juries (Peremptory Challenges) Amendment Act 2026.
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Australian Capital Territory act
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.
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Direct links to the current provisions in Juries (Peremptory Challenges) Amendment Act 2026.
1 Name of Act This Act is the Juries (Peremptory Challenges) Amendment Act 2026.
2 Commencement This Act commences on the day after its notification day. Note The naming and commencement provisions automatically commence on the notification day (see Legislation Act, s 75 (1)).
3 Legislation amended This Act amends the Juries Act 1967.
4 Expanded juries in some criminal trials Section 31A (3) omit 8 peremptory challenges 4 peremptory challenges
5 Section 31A (3) (a) to (c) (a) if the judge directs that 13 or 14 jurors be empanelled— references to 5 peremptory challenges; or (b) if the judge directs that 15 jurors be empanelled—references to 6 peremptory challenges; or (c) if the judge directs that 16 jurors be empanelled—references to 7 peremptory challenges.
A2026-9 Juries (Peremptory Challenges) Amendment Act 2026 page 3
6 Challenges at criminal trials Section 34 (1) (a) and (2) (a) omit 8 peremptory challenges 4 peremptory challenges Endnotes 1 Presentation speech Presentation speech made in the Legislative Assembly on 3 December 2025. 2 Notification Notified under the Legislation Act on 15 May 2026. 3 Republications of amended laws For the latest republication of amended laws, see www.legislation.act.gov.au. I certify that the above is a true copy of the Juries (Peremptory Challenges) Amendment Bill 2026, which originated in the Legislative Assembly as the Juries (Peremptory Challenges) Amendment Bill 2025 and was passed by the Assembly on 6 May 2026. Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
Sourced from the ACT Legislation Register (legislation.act.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
J2025-1233 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Australian Capital Territory Juries (Peremptory Challenges) Amendment Act 2026 A2026-9 An Act to amend the Juries Act 1967 The Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory enacts as follows:
Section 1 page 2 Juries (Peremptory Challenges) Amendment Act 2026 A2026-9 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 1 Name of Act This Act is the Juries (Peremptory Challenges) Amendment Act 2026. 2 Commencement This Act commences on the day after its notification day. Note The naming and commencement provisions automatically commence on the notification day (see Legislation Act, s 75 (1)). 3 Legislation amended This Act amends the Juries Act 1967. 4 Expanded juries in some criminal trials Section 31A (3) omit 8 peremptory challenges substitute 4 peremptory challenges 5 Section 31A (3) (a) to (c) substitute (a) if the judge directs that 13 or 14 jurors be empanelled— references to 5 peremptory challenges; or (b) if the judge directs that 15 jurors be empanelled—references to 6 peremptory challenges; or (c) if the judge directs that 16 jurors be empanelled—references to 7 peremptory challenges.
Section 6 A2026-9 Juries (Peremptory Challenges) Amendment Act 2026 page 3 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 6 Challenges at criminal trials Section 34 (1) (a) and (2) (a) omit 8 peremptory challenges substitute 4 peremptory challenges Endnotes 1 Presentation speech Presentation speech made in the Legislative Assembly on 3 December 2025. 2 Notification Notified under the Legislation Act on 15 May 2026. 3 Republications of amended laws For the latest republication of amended laws, see www.legislation.act.gov.au. I certify that the above is a true copy of the Juries (Peremptory Challenges) Amendment Bill 2026, which originated in the Legislative Assembly as the Juries (Peremptory Challenges) Amendment Bill 2025 and was passed by the Assembly on 6 May 2026. Clerk of the Legislative Assembly © Australian Capital Territory 2026