sec.54Restriction on communication

### sec.54 Restriction on communication While a jury is kept together, a person (other than a member of the jury or a reserve juror) must not communicate with any of the jurors without the judge’s leave. Despite subsection (1) — the officer of the court who has charge of the jury may communicate with jurors with the judge’s leave; and if a juror is ill—communication with the juror for arranging or administering medical treatment does not require the judge’s leave. A person who contravenes subsection (1) may be punished summarily for a contempt of the court. The validity of proceedings is not affected by contravention of this section but, if the contravention is discovered before the verdict is given, the judge may discharge the jury if the judge considers that the contravention appears likely to prejudice a fair trial. (sec.54-ssec.1) While a jury is kept together, a person (other than a member of the jury or a reserve juror) must not communicate with any of the jurors without the judge’s leave. (sec.54-ssec.2) Despite subsection (1) — the officer of the court who has charge of the jury may communicate with jurors with the judge’s leave; and if a juror is ill—communication with the juror for arranging or administering medical treatment does not require the judge’s leave. (sec.54-ssec.3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) may be punished summarily for a contempt of the court. (sec.54-ssec.4) The validity of proceedings is not affected by contravention of this section but, if the contravention is discovered before the verdict is given, the judge may discharge the jury if the judge considers that the contravention appears likely to prejudice a fair trial. - (a) the officer of the court who has charge of the jury may communicate with jurors with the judge’s leave; and - (b) if a juror is ill—communication with the juror for arranging or administering medical treatment does not require the judge’s leave.