Qualifiction and selection

• Is legal knowledge required to serve as a juror?

  No legal knowledge is required.
• What are the consequences for a person who does not attend court when summoned?

  They can be prosecuted and fined if they do not have a good reason.
• What act set out the requirements for jury service in the UK?

  The Juries Act 1974 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.
• How are jurors selected for jury service?

  Jurors are chosen at random by a computer from the electoral roll.
• What is the minimum age requirement to serve on a jury?

  18 years old
• What is the maximum age limit for jury service?

  75 years old
• What is one eligibility requirement regarding residency for jury service?

  Must have lived in the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man for at least 5 years after the age of 13.
• What disqualifies a person from serving on a jury?

  If a person is on bail for a criminal offence.

  Has been convicted and sentenced in the last 10 years.

  hace mental disorders or mental health problems.
• Under what circumstances can a judge discharge a juror?

  If the judge believes the juror cannot perform their duties properly e.g. a disability like deafness
• What is a valid reason for deferring jury service?

  Examinations, hospital operations, or pre-booked holidays.
• How many times can jury service be deferred?

  Only once, up to a maximum of 12 months.
• What is the difference between deferral and discretionary excusal?

  Deferral postpones jury service, while discretionary excusal removes a person from the list for 12 months.
• Who can apply for discretionary excusal from jury service?

  Those who have served in criminal courts within the last 2 years, full-time armed forces members, and those over 65 years old.
• What happens before the jury is sworn in during a trial?

  15 people are selected at random and can be challenged by the prosecution and defense.
• What is a challenge to the array in jury selection?

  A challenge to the whole jury based on unrepresentative or biased selection.
• What case involved a challenge to the array?


  Fraser (1987) D was of an ethnic minorty and all jurors were white
• What is a challenge for cause in jury selection?

  A challenge to an individual juror's right to sit based on a valid reason. For example the juror is related to a witness or the D
• What cases illustrate the challenge for cause in jury selection?


  R v Wilson and R v Sprason (1995)
• What does jury vetting involve?

  Checking jurors before they are allowed to serve on a particular trial.