An Act to amend and consolidate the law relating to juries; to repeal the Jury Act 1912 and certain other Acts; and to amend the Mental Health Act 1958, the Coroners Act 1960 and the Supreme Court Act 1970.
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Name of Act
This Act may be cited as the Jury Act 1977.
2 Commencement
(1) This section and section 1 shall commence on the date of assent to this Act.(2) Except as provided in subsection (1) and Schedule 8, this Act shall commence on such day as may be appointed by the Governor in respect thereof and as may be notified by proclamation published in the Gazette.
3 (Repealed)
s 3: Am 1980 No 27, Sch 2; 1980 No 31, sec 3 (a). Rep 1987 No 286, Sch 2 (1).
4 Definitions
(1) In this Act, except in so far as the context or subject-matter otherwise indicates or requires:civil proceedings means proceedings:(a) in the Supreme Court on a claim for relief within the meaning of the Supreme Court Act 1970, or(b) in the District Court in its civil jurisdiction.coronial inquest means an inquest or inquiry held before a coroner and a jury pursuant to section 18 of the Coroners Act 1980.criminal proceedings means proceedings:(a) for the prosecution of offenders on indictment, or(b) under section 23 or 26 of the Mental Health Act 1958.electoral district has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Act 1912.identification number of a person means the identification number allocated to the person under section 29.indictment includes any information presented or filed as provided by law for the prosecution of offenders.jury roll, in relation to any jury district, means the jury roll certified as in force for the time being for that district under section 16.regulation means a regulation made under this Act.summons means a summons issued under section 26.supplementary jury roll for a district has the meaning given in section 12 (4).trial means a trial by or with a jury in any criminal or civil proceedings.verdict includes an assessment in civil proceedings.(2) A reference in this Act to the deletion of a person from a supplementary jury roll or a jury roll is a reference to the deletion of the name of, and other particulars relating to, the person from that roll.(3) A reference in this Act to an electoral district includes a reference to a part of an electoral district.s 4: Am 1980 No 31, sec 3 (b); 1985 No 231, Sch 12; 1987 No 286, Sch 2 (2); 1993 No 46, Sch 1; 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [1]–[5]; 1997 No 15, Sch 1 [1].
4A Application of Act
Nothing in this Act applies to or with respect to a jury for an inquest concerning a death or suspected death caused or suspected by the coroner of having been caused by an explosion or accident in or about a mine situated wholly or partly in the Broken Hill Jury District.s 4A: Ins 1980 No 31, sec 3 (c).
Part 2 Qualifications and liability for jury service
5 Persons qualified and liable to serve as jurors
Subject to this Act, every person who is enrolled as an elector for the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales pursuant to the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Act 1912 is qualified and liable to serve as a juror.
6 Persons not qualified or liable to serve as jurors
A person is not qualified or liable to serve as a juror if that person is, for the time being:(a) disqualified from serving as a juror, being a person referred to in Schedule 1, or(b) ineligible to serve as a juror, being a person referred to in Schedule 2.
7 Persons entitled to be exempted from serving as jurors
A person referred to in Schedule 3 is entitled as of right to be exempted from serving as a juror if that person claims exemption in accordance with section 13 or 18 (3).
8 Amendment of Schedule 1, 2 or 3
Regulations may be made under section 76 for the purpose of adding any matter to, deleting any matter from or altering any matter in Schedule 1, 2 or 3.
Part 3 Jury districts and jury rolls
9 Jury districts
(1) There shall be a jury district for each place appointed for sittings of the Supreme Court or the District Court for the trial of any criminal or civil proceedings.(2) A jury district is to comprise such electoral districts or parts of electoral districts as may be determined and notified by the sheriff from time to time in accordance with the regulations.(3) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the determination and notification of jury districts.s 9: Am 1993 No 46, Sch 1.
10 Sheriff to maintain jury rolls
The sheriff must maintain a jury roll for each jury district in accordance with this Part.s 10: Subst 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [6].
11 Electoral Commissioner to deliver copies of electoral rolls to sheriff
(1) The Electoral Commissioner shall, upon request made by the sheriff, deliver to the sheriff the latest available copies of the rolls of electors for such electoral districts as the sheriff may require for the purpose of preparing jury rolls.(2) Such a request is to be made at least once every 15 months for each jury district.s 11: Am 1993 No 46, Sch 1; 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [7].
12 Random selection of prospective jurors
(1) At intervals of not more than 12 months, the sheriff is to select a number of persons at random from the entries in the latest copies of rolls of electors supplied to the sheriff that relate to each jury district. Persons who are for the time being on the jury roll for the district are excluded from selection.(2) The number of persons selected must be estimated by the sheriff as sufficient to provide, in accordance with the scheme for selection of jurors provided by this Part, the number of persons required to serve from time to time as jurors in the jury district.(3) The estimate is to allow for persons who are not qualified or are ineligible to serve as jurors and for persons who will duly claim exemption from jury service.(4) The particulars of persons who have been selected under this section pursuant to the same estimate comprise a supplementary jury roll for the district in which those persons reside until particulars on the supplementary roll are added to the jury roll for the district.(5) A computer may be used to make a selection under this section.s 12: Am 1993 No 46, Sch 1. Subst 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [8].
13 Persons included on supplementary jury roll to be notified
(1) The sheriff must send to each person whose name is included on a supplementary jury roll for a district, and who appears to the sheriff to be qualified and eligible to serve as a juror, a notice in the form prescribed by the regulations:(a) informing the person that it is proposed to include the person on the jury roll, and(b) describing the classes of persons who are disqualified or ineligible to serve as jurors and who are entitled as of right to be exempted from serving as jurors, and(c) containing a questionnaire that is required to be completed by the person if:(i) the person is disqualified or ineligible or claims exemption, or(ii) the particulars of the person appearing on the questionnaire have changed, or(iii) the person is otherwise required by the sheriff in the notice to complete the questionnaire, and(d) requiring the person, if required to complete the questionnaire, to complete it and return it to the sheriff, within the time specified in the notice.(2) The sheriff may require the answers given to a questionnaire or any other information provided to the sheriff, for the purpose of determining whether or not a person is disqualified or ineligible to serve as a juror, or is to be exempted from serving as a juror, to be verified by statutory declaration.(3) Proceedings may be taken for an offence against this Act or the Oaths Act 1900 for providing false or misleading information to the sheriff that is required to be verified by statutory declaration. However, a person is not liable to be convicted of an offence under both Acts in relation to the provision of the same information.s 13: Subst 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [8]. Am 1999 No 39, Sch 3 [1].
14 Sheriff to delete persons disqualified, ineligible or exempt from supplementary jury roll
(1) The sheriff shall delete from a supplementary jury roll those persons whom the sheriff determines:(a) are disqualified from serving as jurors or ineligible to serve as jurors, or(b) are entitled as of right to be exempted from serving as jurors and who have duly claimed exemption.(2) Where a person informs the sheriff of any disqualification or ineligibility or any claim for exemption pursuant to section 13 and the sheriff determines not to delete that person from the supplementary jury roll, the sheriff shall forthwith notify that person in writing of the sheriff’s determination and of that person’s right to appeal to a Local Court against the determination.s 14: Am 1987 No 286, Sch 2 (3); 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [9].
15 Appeal against being included on jury roll or being summoned from supplementary jury roll
(1) A person aggrieved by a determination of the sheriff notified to the person under section 14 (2) or 18 (4) may appeal to a Local Court by lodging a notice of appeal with the registrar of that court within 21 days of being so notified, except as provided by subsection (2).(2) If the person is summoned to attend for jury service on a day occurring before those 21 days have expired and before the notice of appeal is lodged, the appeal is instead to be made (as specified in a notice attached to the summons) to the judge or coroner having the conduct of the trial or coronial inquest concerned or to such other judge or coroner, or to such master, magistrate or registrar of a court, as may be specified in the notice.(3) The court or person to whom an appeal is made under this section must hear and determine the appeal and must:(a) if satisfied that the person who made the appeal:(i) is not qualified or is ineligible to serve as a juror, orallow the appeal and order the sheriff to delete that person from the jury roll or supplementary jury roll, or(ii) is entitled as of right to be exempted from serving as a juror and has duly claimed exemption,(b) if satisfied that the person, having been summoned for jury service, has good cause to be excused from attending at the relevant court or inquest—excuse the person from attendance, or(c) in any other case—disallow the appeal.(4) A decision under this section is final and conclusive and is to be given effect by the sheriff.(5) A person who has lodged an appeal under this section which has not been heard and determined is taken, for the purposes of section 38, to have good cause to be excused from attending at a court or coronial inquest in accordance with a summons.s 15: Am 1987 No 286, Sch 2 (4) (am 1988 No 20, Sch 20). Subst 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [10]. Am 2001 No 121, Sch 2.131 [1] [2].
15A Periodic updating of jury roll
(1) The sheriff must supplement the jury roll for a jury district by adding to the roll particulars of each person who has been included on a supplementary jury roll for the district and who is not deleted from the supplementary roll by the sheriff under section 14 or pursuant to an order of a court or person under section 15.(2) The sheriff must cull from the jury roll for the time being in force for a district particulars of each person who has been included on the roll for 15 months (or such other period, not exceeding 2 years, as may be fixed by the regulations).s 15A: Ins 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [10].
16 Current jury roll to be certified by sheriff
(1) The sheriff must, immediately after supplementing or culling names from the jury roll for a district in accordance with section 15A, certify a list of persons as the jury roll in force for the time being for the jury district.(2) A jury roll may be certified by the sheriff under this section even though an appeal lodged under section 15 by a person on the roll has not been determined. However, the sheriff must amend the roll as soon as is practicable if the appeal is determined so as to require removal of the person from the roll.(3) The particulars on a jury roll relating to any person shall be the particulars relating to that person appearing on the copy of the roll of electors for the electoral district from which that person was selected under section 12.(4) The jury roll certified under this section for a jury district remains in force until a new jury roll for the district is certified, even if there is an alteration in the boundaries of the jury district before the new jury roll is certified.s 16: Am 1993 No 46, Sch 1; 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [11].
17 Records of jury rolls and supplementary jury rolls
(1) The sheriff must keep among the records of the sheriff’s office the jury roll last certified for each jury district and any supplementary jury roll being used to revise a jury roll.(2) The sheriff must produce such a roll or supplementary roll (or a certified copy of it) in any court or at any coronial inquest if required to do so or forward a certified copy of the roll or supplementary roll to an officer of a court if it is required for production in that court or at that inquest.s 17: Subst 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [12].
18 Sheriff may amend jury roll
(1) The sheriff may amend a jury roll:(a) by deleting therefrom a person:(i) whom the sheriff determines is no longer qualified or liable to serve as a juror, or(ii) whom the sheriff determines is entitled as of right to be exempted from serving as a juror and has duly claimed exemption under subsection (3), or(iii) who is dead or who no longer resides in the jury district to which the roll relates, or(iv) (Repealed)(b) (Repealed)(c) to correct the particulars relating to any person on the roll.(2) (Repealed)(3) A person who is entitled as of right to be exempted from serving as a juror but who did not claim exemption pursuant to section 13 because the person was not so entitled at that time or for any other good cause may claim exemption by informing the sheriff of that claim and the grounds on which it is made and shall, if required to do so by the sheriff, verify that claim by statutory declaration.(4) Where a person on a jury roll informs the sheriff of any disqualification from serving as a juror or ineligibility to serve as a juror or any claim for exemption pursuant to subsection (3) and the sheriff determines not to delete that person from the jury roll, the sheriff shall forthwith notify that person in writing of the sheriff’s determination and of that person’s right to appeal to a Local Court against the determination.(5), (6) (Repealed)s 18: Am 1987 No 286, Schs 1 (1), 2 (5); 1988 No 131, Sch 12 (1); 1996 No 4, Sch 2 [1] [2].
18A Sheriff may excuse persons from jury service before being summoned
(1) The sheriff may, at any time before a person on a jury roll or supplementary jury roll is required by summons to attend for jury service, excuse the person from attending for jury service if the person shows good cause to be excused from attending for jury service because of any matter of special importance or any matter of special urgency.(2) A person may be excused under this section for the whole or any part of the period during which the person may be summoned to attend for jury service because of the person being included on a jury roll.(3) A person does not have good cause to be excused under this section on the ground that the person is entitled as of right to be exempted from serving as a juror if the person was entitled, but without reasonable excuse failed, to claim an exemption under section 13.(4) The sheriff may require a person to verify a request to be excused under this section by statutory declaration.(5) If the sheriff excuses a person from attending for jury service for any period under this section, the sheriff is to make a record of that fact.s 18A: Ins 1999 No 39, Sch 3 [2].
Part 4 Trial by jury
19 Number of jurors in criminal proceedings
The jury in any criminal proceedings in the Supreme Court or the District Court is to consist of 12 persons returned and selected in accordance with this Act.s 19: Subst 1990 No 74, Sch 3.
20 Number of jurors in civil proceedings
(1) Subject to subsection (2), where civil proceedings in the Supreme Court or the District Court are to be tried with a jury, the jury shall consist of 4 persons returned and selected in accordance with this Act.(2) The Supreme Court may, upon application by any party to civil proceedings to be tried in the Supreme Court with a jury made at any time after the pleadings in those proceedings are closed, order that the jury shall consist of 12 persons.
21 Number of jurors in coronial inquests
The jury in any coronial inquest shall consist of 6 persons returned and selected in accordance with this Act.
22 Continuation of trial or inquest on death or discharge of juror
Where in the course of any trial or coronial inquest any member of the jury dies or is discharged by the court or coroner whether as being through illness incapable of continuing to act or for any other reason, the jury shall be considered as remaining for all the purposes of that trial or inquest properly constituted if:(a) in the case of criminal proceedings, the number of its members:(i) is not reduced below 10,(ii) is reduced below 10 but approval in writing is given to the reduced number of jurors by or on behalf of both the person prosecuting for the Crown and the accused or each of the accused, or(iii) is reduced below 10 but not below 8 and the trial has been in progress for at least 2 months,(b) in the case of civil proceedings, the number of its members is not reduced, in the case of a jury of 4, below 3 or, in the case of a jury of 12, below 8, orand if the court or the coroner, as the case may be, so orders.(c) in the case of a coronial inquest, the number of its members is not reduced below 4,s 22: Am 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (2).
Part 5 Summoning of jurors
Division 1 Summoning of jurors for trials and coronial inquests
pt 5, div 1: Subst 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [13].
23 Estimate of number of jurors required
(1) The sheriff must maintain estimates of the number of jurors who will be required to be summoned in each jury district for the trial of criminal and civil proceedings in the Supreme Court and the District Court and for coronial inquests.(2) The number of jurors estimated as required for the purpose of trials must not exceed the number of jurors that, in the opinion of the sheriff, will ensure the attendance of sufficient jurors to allow for the number of challenges reasonably likely to be made by all parties.(3) The number of jurors estimated as required for the purpose of coronial inquests must not be less than the number of jurors that, in the opinion of the sheriff, will ensure the attendance of sufficient jurors to comply with requests for juries reasonably likely to be made under the Coroners Act 1980 by coroners.s 23: Am 1986 No 212, Sch 1. Subst 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [13].
24 Alternate procedure where sheriff is interested in case
(1) The functions of the sheriff under this Division (except the making of estimates under section 23) are to be exercised in respect of a trial or coronial inquest by the person holding the office prescribed by the regulations, if the sheriff is a party (or a judge of the court or the coroner holding the inquest is satisfied that the sheriff is in any other way interested) in the trial or inquest.(2) A person so exercising the functions of the sheriff is to have access to the records kept by the sheriff for the purposes of this Act.s 24: Am 1981 No 34, Sch 1 (1). Subst 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [13].
25 Selection of jurors by sheriff
(1) The sheriff must select at random, from the jury roll for each jury district, the number of jurors estimated by the sheriff as required to be summoned for trials or coronial inquests in that jury district.(2) The sheriff may select one or more of that number of jurors at random from a supplementary jury roll for that district, if the sheriff believes that the jury roll for that district is inadequate for any reason.(3) A selection under this section may be made by computer and may be made at any one time or at different times for the purposes of one or more trials or inquests.ss 25–27: Subst 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [13].
26 Persons selected to be summoned
(1) The sheriff must issue a summons in the form prescribed by the regulations to each person selected requiring the person to attend at the court or coronial inquest at the time specified in the summons until discharged by the court or coroner.(2) When such a summons is served on a person selected by the sheriff from a supplementary jury roll, a notice complying with section 13 must also be served on the person, if such a notice has not already been sent to the person.(3) Such a summons is to be served on the person to whom it is issued at least 7 days before the time specified in it for attendance at a court or inquest, unless a judge of the court or the coroner holding the inquest otherwise orders.ss 25–27: Subst 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [13].
27 Selection and summoning of additional jurors
The sheriff may select and summon jurors in accordance with this Division to make up or supplement a jury panel if a trial or coronial inquest is likely to be delayed because there are no persons or not enough persons available for the selection of a jury who have already been summoned.ss 25–27: Subst 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [13].
28 Sheriff’s return
(1) At each time and place at which jurors are required to attend by summonses served under this Division, the sheriff must return particulars of the summonses, including a panel of the names of those summoned and, if appearing on the roll or supplementary roll from which the summonses were prepared, their occupations.(2) Only the names of persons qualified and liable to serve as jurors, and who have not been duly excused, are required to be included in the panel.(3) The sheriff must also provide with the return the names and other particulars recorded on the roll or supplementary roll of the persons on the panel on separate cards, each card being as nearly as is practicable of equal size.s 28: Am 1981 No 34, Sch 1 (2). Subst 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [13].
29 Identification numbers for jurors
(1) Before furnishing the return and cards referred to in section 28 in respect of a trial or coronial inquest, the sheriff is to allocate a separate identification number to each person included in the panel referred to in section 28.(2) The sheriff must record a person’s identification number:(a) against the place where the name of the person appears on that panel, and(b) on the card referred to in section 28 (3) relating to the person.(3) The sheriff must inform a person of the person’s identification number when the person attends on the first day on which the person’s attendance is required in accordance with a summons.(4) A person who is allocated an identification number is to be addressed or referred to only by that identification number when the person is present at the court or coronial inquest for the purposes of the relevant proceedings.(5) A computer may be used to carry out a procedure under this section relating to identification numbers.(6) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to identification numbers. In particular, regulations may be made for or with respect to the following:(a) the allocation of identification numbers,(b) the manner in which persons are to be informed of their identification number,(c) the recording of identification numbers on the panel and on the cards relating to the persons in respect of whom the identification numbers have been allocated.s 29: Rep 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [13]. Ins 1997 No 15, Sch 1 [2].
Division 2
30–36 (Repealed)
pt 5, div 2: Rep 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [13].
ss 30–34: Rep 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [13].
s 35: Am 1988 No 131, Sch 12 (2). Rep 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [13].
s 36: Rep 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [13].
Division 3 General
37 Certain persons and jurors not required to disclose identity
(1) A person who is summoned under Division 1 is not required, when the person attends at a trial or coronial inquest in accordance with the summons, to disclose the person’s name or any other matter that identifies or is likely to lead to the identification of the person (for example, when the person requests to be excused under section 38 (1) (b) or the person, while serving as a juror, is examined on oath under Part 8).(2) However, a person so summoned is to provide such information to the sheriff:(a) when the person attends on the first day on which the person’s attendance at the trial or coronial inquest is required in accordance with the summons, or(b) if requested to do so by the sheriff, at any other time during the course of the trial or coronial inquest.s 37: Rep 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [14]. Ins 1997 No 15, Sch 1 [3].
38 Person summoned for jury service may be excused before or at trial or inquest
(1) A person may be excused for good cause from attending at a court or coronial inquest in pursuance of a summons:(a) by the sheriff, at any time before the day on which the person’s attendance is required or on that day at any time before the commencement of the trial or inquest at which the person may be selected as a juror, or(b) by that court or the coroner holding that inquest, at any time on or after that day, notwithstanding that the sheriff did not excuse the person for that cause.(2) A person does not have good cause to be excused under subsection (1) on the ground that the person is entitled as of right to be exempted from serving as a juror if the person was entitled, but without reasonable excuse failed, to claim exemption pursuant to section 13.(3) A person may be excused under subsection (1) for the whole or any part of the time that the person’s attendance is required.(4) The sheriff may require a person to verify a request to be excused under subsection (1) (a) by statutory declaration.(5) A court or coroner may require a person to make any request to be excused under subsection (1) (b) on oath.(6) If a person is excused under subsection (1) (b), the panel and the card relating to that person are to be clearly marked accordingly and the card kept apart from the cards relating to other persons on that panel.(7) Before the selection of the jury at a criminal trial, the judge must, subject to the regulations:(a) direct the person prosecuting for the Crown to inform the jurors on the panel of the nature of the charge and the identity of the accused and of the principal witnesses to be called for the prosecution, and(b) call on the jurors on the panel to apply to be excused if they consider that they are not able to give impartial consideration to the case.(8) Before the selection of the jury at a civil trial, the judge must, subject to the regulations:(a) direct the parties to the proceedings to inform the jurors on the panel of the nature of the action and the identity of the parties and of the principal witnesses to be called by the parties, and(b) call on the jurors on the panel to apply to be excused if they consider that they are not able to give impartial consideration to the case.(9) Before the selection of the jury at a coronial inquest, the coroner must, subject to the regulations:(a) direct the person assisting the coroner to inform the jurors on the panel of the nature of the inquest and of the principal witnesses to be called, and(b) call on the jurors on the panel to apply to be excused if they consider that they are not able to give impartial consideration to the matter.(10) The identity of a person who is a principal witness must not be disclosed under subsection (7) (a), (8) (a) or (9) (a) if the person is a witness who is included in a witness protection program:(a) within the meaning of the Witness Protection Act 1995, or(b) conducted by the Commonwealth, another State or a Territory under a complementary witness protection law within the meaning of the Witness Protection Act 1995.(11) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to:(a) the directions and the calling on jurors under subsections (7)–(9), and(b) the informing and the excusing of jurors under those subsections.s 38: Am 1981 No 34, Sch 1 (3); 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (3); 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [15]–[17]; 1997 No 15, Sch 1 [4]–[6].
39 Person may be excused from being selected for jury service because of previous lengthy service
(1) At the conclusion of any trial or coronial inquest, the judge who presided at the trial or the coroner who held the inquest may, if the judge or coroner is of the opinion that any of the jurors attended the trial or inquest for a lengthy period, direct that those jurors shall be entitled to be exempted as of right from serving as jurors for a specified period then ensuing.(2) A judge or coroner shall cause the sheriff to be notified of any direction given by the judge or coroner under subsection (1).(3) The sheriff shall:(a) make a notation of any direction under subsection (1) on the appropriate jury roll, and(b) notify, in writing, the jurors to whom the direction relates.
40 (Repealed)
s 40: Am 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (4). Subst 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [18]. Rep 1997 No 15, Sch 1 [7].
Part 6 Challenge
41 Right of challenge
Subject to this and any other Act, the law relating to the right of challenge to the array and to the polls of jurors in force immediately before the day appointed and notified under section 2 (2) shall continue in force.
42 Peremptory challenges in criminal proceedings
(1) In any criminal proceedings:(a) each person prosecuted has 3 peremptory challenges without restriction, and(b) the Crown has 3 peremptory challenges without restriction for each person prosecuted.(2) Any number of peremptory challenges may be made if the Crown and all the persons prosecuted agree to the challenges.(3) Any such agreed peremptory challenge may be made even though all the peremptory challenges without restriction of any person prosecuted or the Crown have not been exhausted.s 42: Subst 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (5); 1988 No 131, Sch 12 (3).
42A Peremptory challenges in civil proceedings
In any civil proceedings, each party to the proceedings has the number of peremptory challenges without restriction that is equal to half the number of jurors required to constitute the jury for trial.s 42A: Ins 1999 No 39, Sch 3 [3].
43 Crown may challenge for cause but not require jurors to stand aside
(1) The Crown has the right to challenge a juror for cause in any criminal proceedings or in any civil proceedings in which it is a party.(2) A juror on a panel returned for the trial of any criminal proceedings shall not, at the request of those prosecuting for the Crown, be ordered to stand by until all the jurors on the panel have been called for.s 43: Am 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (6).
44 Barrister or solicitor may make challenge on behalf of accused
The barrister or solicitor representing a person being prosecuted in any criminal proceedings may make any challenge for cause or any peremptory challenge on behalf of that person.
45 Time for making challenge to juror
(1) A challenge for cause or a peremptory challenge to a juror in criminal proceedings or in civil proceedings can be made only after the juror has been called to the book to be sworn and before the juror is sworn.(1A) A challenge for cause to a juror in criminal proceedings or in civil proceedings may be made either before or after all rights of peremptory challenge have been exhausted.(2) (Repealed)s 45: Am 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (7); 1997 No 15, Sch 1 [8] [9]; 1999 No 39, Sch 3 [4] [5].
46 Trial of challenge for cause
A challenge for cause shall be tried by the presiding judge at the trial.
47 Certain errors etc not to be cause for challenge
No omission, error or irregularity in the time or mode of service of any summons or in the summoning or return of any juror by a wrong name (where there is no question as to the juror’s identity) shall be cause of challenge either to the array or to that juror.
47A Discharge of jury as a result of challenges
The judge presiding at the trial of any criminal proceedings may discharge the jury that has been selected if, in the opinion of that judge, the exercise of the rights to make peremptory challenges has resulted in a jury whose composition is such that the trial might be or might appear to be unfair.s 47A: Ins 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (8).
Part 7 Selection of jury
48 Balloting for jury in criminal proceedings
(1) The jury for the trial of any criminal proceedings in the Supreme Court or the District Court shall be selected by ballot in open court in accordance with this section.(2) At the trial the presiding judge or an officer of the court shall:(a) place in a box provided for that purpose the cards provided under section 28 (3) in respect of that trial,(b) draw out of that box those cards, one after another, and call out the identification numbers on those cards, until 12 persons appear, and(c) call each of those 12 persons to be sworn.(3) If any challenge is made and allowed in respect of any number of those 12 persons, that number of persons shall be so drawn and called to be sworn.(4) Such further number of persons as is required shall be so drawn and called to be sworn until all just challenges have been allowed and 12 persons have been sworn.(5) The 12 persons referred to in subsection (4) shall constitute the jury for the trial.s 48: Am 1997 No 15, Sch 1 [10] [11].
49 Balloting for jury in civil proceedings
(1) The jury for the trial of any civil proceedings in the Supreme Court or the District Court is to be selected by ballot in open court in accordance with this section whether the jury is to consist of 4 or 12 jurors.(2) At the trial the presiding judge or an officer of the court must:(a) place in a box provided for that purpose the cards provided under section 28 (3) in respect of that trial, and(b) draw out of that box those cards, one after another, and call out the identification numbers on those cards, until the number of persons required to constitute the jury for the trial appear, and(c) call each of those persons to be sworn.(3) If any challenge is made and allowed in respect of any number of those persons, that number of persons must be so drawn and called to be sworn.(4) Such further number of persons as is required is to be so drawn and called to be sworn until all just challenges have been allowed and the number of persons required to constitute the jury for the trial have been sworn.(5) The persons referred to in subsection (4) that have been sworn are to constitute the jury for the trial.s 49: Subst 1997 No 15, Sch 1 [12]. Am 1999 No 39, Sch 3 [6].
50 Balloting for jury at coronial inquest
(1) The jury for any coronial inquest shall be selected by ballot in accordance with this section.(2) At the inquest the coroner or a person appointed by the coroner for that purpose shall:(a) place in a box provided for that purpose the cards provided under section 28 (3) in respect of that inquest, and(b) draw out of that box those cards, one after another, and call out the identification numbers on those cards, until 6 persons appear.(3) The 6 persons referred to in subsection (2) (b) shall, after being duly sworn, constitute the jury for the coronial inquest.s 50: Am 1997 No 15, Sch 1 [13] [14].
51 Procedure where insufficient jurors to complete ballot
(1) If there is an insufficient number of summoned jurors in attendance at a court or coronial inquest for the purposes of a ballot under section 48, 49 or 50, the trial or inquest may be adjourned and:(a) the jurors may be discharged and, in accordance with Division 1 of Part 5, further summonses to attend at the court or inquest may be issued in respect of the trial or inquest,(b) the jurors may be retained and, in accordance with Division 1 of Part 5, further summonses to attend at the court or inquest may be issued in order to obtain the further number of jurors required to complete the ballot, or(c) the jurors may be retained and the further number of jurors required to complete the ballot may be required by the sheriff to attend at the court or inquest for that purpose if they have been summoned to attend at another court or inquest in the same jury district and are not required at that other court or inquest.(2) Balloting for a trial or inquest referred to in subsection (1) (b) may proceed after the cards relating to the further number of jurors required to complete the ballot are placed in the ballot box and the names and identification numbers of those jurors are added to the panel.s 51: Am 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (9); 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [19] [20]; 1997 No 15, Sch 1 [15].
52 Cards of jury members to be kept apart
(1) The cards relating to the jurors who constituted the jury for the trial of any criminal or civil proceedings shall be kept apart from the cards relating to the other persons summoned for that trial until the conclusion of the trial.(2) After all the jurors for a trial are sworn, the cards relating to persons who were summoned and who were called but not sworn for the trial are to be returned to the sheriff so as to be available for any further ballot.(3) The cards relating to persons who were summoned and were sworn for the trial, but who are not discharged from attending at the court in pursuance of the summons, are also to be returned to the sheriff, if a further ballot is to be conducted under section 53.s 52: Am 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [21].
53 Jurors liable to be selected on more than one ballot
Where the persons who were summoned to attend at a court and who constituted the jury for a trial cease to be required for that trial and have not been discharged from attending at the court in pursuance of the summons, juries for subsequent trials in that court may be selected from among those persons in accordance with section 48 or 49, as the case may require.s 53: Am 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [22].
Part 8 Proceedings upon trial or inquest
54 Jury permitted to separate in criminal trials
(1) The jury in criminal proceedings:(a) shall, unless the court otherwise orders, be permitted to separate at any time before they retire to consider their verdict, and(b) may, if the court so orders, be permitted to separate at any time after they retire to consider their verdict.(2) An order under subsection (1) (b) may be made even if the jury in the proceedings is not present when the order is made.s 54: Subst 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (10). Am 2003 No 71, Sch 5 [1].
55 Court or coroner may permit refreshment for jurors
The court on any trial or a coroner holding any coronial inquest may permit the members of the jury to be supplied with such refreshments as the court or coroner thinks fit at any time after they have been sworn and notwithstanding that they have retired to consider their verdict.
55A Exhibits in jurors’ deliberation room
A judge or coroner may refuse to allow an exhibit at the trial or inquest being left with the jurors after they have retired if satisfied that the exhibit or the safety of the jurors would be put at risk.ss 55A–55E: Ins 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (11).
55B Judge or coroner may give directions to jury in writing
Any direction of law to a jury by a judge or coroner may be given in writing if the judge or coroner considers that it is appropriate to do so.ss 55A–55E: Ins 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (11).
55C Supply of transcripts to jury
A copy of all or any part of the transcript of evidence at a trial or inquest may, at the request of the jury, be supplied to the members of the jury if the judge or coroner considers that it is appropriate and practicable to do so.ss 55A–55E: Ins 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (11).
55D Examination of jurors—publication of prejudicial material during trial or inquest
A judge or coroner may examine a juror on oath to determine:(a) whether the juror has read, seen or heard alleged prejudicial material published or broadcast during the trial or inquest, and(b) whether the juror has been influenced by the material.ss 55A–55E: Ins 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (11).
55E Discharge of jury after delivery of verdict
(1) The jury shall be discharged immediately after delivering their verdict.(2) Nothing in this section prevents any member of the jury from remaining in court as an ordinary member of the public after being so discharged.ss 55A–55E: Ins 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (11).
56 Discharge of jury that disagree in criminal proceedings
Where the jury in criminal proceedings have retired, the court in which the proceedings are being tried may discharge them if it finds, after examination on oath of one or more of them, that they are not likely to agree on their verdict.s 56: Am 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (12).
57 Majority verdicts in civil proceedings
(1) Where the jury in civil proceedings have retired for more than 4 hours and they are unable to agree on their verdict:(a) in the case of a jury consisting of 4 persons, the decision of 3 jurors, orshall be taken as the verdict of all.(b) in the case of a jury consisting of 12 persons or, pursuant to section 22 (b), 9, 10 or 11 persons, the decision of 8 jurors,(2) A reference in this section to a verdict includes a reference to an answer to any specific question put to the jury by the court.s 57: Am 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (13); 2000 No 31, Sch 8.
57A Court may decide issue of fact
Where the court in civil proceedings finds, after examination on oath of one or more of the jury, that the jury is unable to agree on a decision about an issue of fact, the court may decide that issue, but only if the parties to the proceedings agree that the court should decide the issue.s 57A: Ins 1996 No 4, Sch 2 [3].
58 Discharge of jury that disagree in civil proceedings
(1) Where the jury in civil proceedings have retired for more than 4 hours, the court in which the proceedings are being tried may discharge them if it finds, after examination on oath of one or more of them, that they are not likely to agree on either a unanimous verdict or a verdict under section 57.(2) (Repealed)(3) Where a jury is discharged under this section, the proceedings may, without any new process for that purpose, be set down for trial either at the same or any subsequent sittings, as the court may order.s 58: Am 1996 No 4, Sch 2 [4] [5].
59 Discharge of jury that disagree in coronial inquest
Where the jury in any coronial inquest have retired for more than 6 hours, the coroner holding that inquest may discharge them if the coroner finds, after examination on oath of one or more of them, that they are not likely to agree.
Part 9 Offences
60 Definition
(1) A reference in this Part to a person who fails to attend for jury service is a reference to a person who:(a) is duly summoned to attend at a court or coronial inquest,(b) fails to attend on the first or on any subsequent day on which the person’s attendance is required, and(c) is not duly excused from that attendance.(2) Where the sheriff notifies a person of an alteration in the time or place at which the person is required by a summons to attend for jury service, the person does not fail to attend for jury service for the purposes of this Part if the person attends at the altered time or place as so notified to the person.s 60: Am 1981 No 34, Sch 1 (4); 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [23].
61 Offences relating to responding to questionnaire
(1) A person who is sent a notice under section 13 about the person’s inclusion on a supplementary jury roll and who is required to return to the sheriff the questionnaire included in the notice must not, except with good cause, fail to do so within the time specified in the notice.(2) The person must not, except with good cause, return such a questionnaire to the sheriff without complete answers to all of the questions in it.(3) The person must not return such a questionnaire to the sheriff if it contains any answer or other information that the person knows to be false or misleading in a material respect.Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.s 61: Am 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (14). Subst 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [24]. Am 1999 No 39, Sch 3 [7].
62 Supply of false or misleading information to sheriff
(1) A person must not provide any information to the sheriff that the person knows to be false or misleading in a material respect:(a) when claiming to be disqualified from serving as a juror or to be ineligible to serve as a juror or to be entitled as of right to be exempted from serving as a juror, or(b) when claiming otherwise that the person is not or will not be available for jury service.(2) A person must not cause or permit any representation the person knows to be false or misleading in a material respect to be made to the sheriff on the person’s behalf, or on behalf of another person, for the purpose of evading jury service.Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.s 62: Am 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (15). Subst 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [24].
62A Failure to inform sheriff of disqualification or ineligibility
A person summoned to attend at a court or coronial inquest who knows that he or she is disqualified from serving as a juror or ineligible to serve as a juror must, before the day on which the person’s attendance is required, inform the sheriff of that fact and the reason for the disqualification or ineligibility.Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.s 62A: Ins 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [24].
63 Failure to attend for jury service
(1) Subject to sections 64 and 66, a person who fails to attend for jury service contravenes this section and is liable to a penalty not exceeding 20 penalty units.(2) In any proceedings for an offence under this section, a document purporting to be signed by the sheriff and to certify:(a) that a specified person is recorded as having failed to attend for jury service, oris evidence of the matter so certified.(b) that a specified person has declined to be dealt with under section 64,(3) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence under this section if the person prosecuted proves that the person had a reasonable excuse for his or her failure to attend for jury service.s 63: Am 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (16); 1988 No 20, Sch 7 (1); 1990 No 108, Sch 1; 1996 No 4, Sch 2 [6]; 1999 No 39, Sch 3 [8] [9].
64 Procedure where failure to attend for jury service
(1) If a person fails to attend for jury service at a court or coronial inquest, a record of that fact is to be made on the relevant panel by order of the court, of the coroner holding the inquest or of any court in which trials for which the panel was prepared are held.(2) The sheriff shall serve, on a person who is recorded under subsection (1) as having failed to attend for jury service, a notice to the effect that, if the person does not desire to have the matter referred to a court, the person:(a) pay to an officer specified in the notice at a place and within a time specified in the notice an amount of penalty equal to 10 penalty units for that failure if dealt with under this section, or(b) show cause to the sheriff within the time specified in the notice why a penalty should not be imposed for that failure.(3) The sheriff may require a person who shows cause under subsection (2) (b) to verify the person’s statements by statutory declaration.(4) If the sheriff determines that a person has not shown reasonable cause under subsection (2) (b) for the person’s failure to attend for jury service, the sheriff shall inform that person accordingly and specify a further period of time within which the person may pay the amount of penalty referred to in subsection (2) (a).(5) A person served with a notice under subsection (2):(a) has the right to decline to be dealt with under this section, and(b) shall be deemed to have declined to be so dealt with if the person does not show reasonable cause under subsection (2) (b) for the person’s failure to attend for jury service within the time specified in the notice and if the person fails to pay the relevant amount of penalty within the time specified in the notice or within such further time as may, under subsection (4) or in any particular case, be allowed by the sheriff.(6) Where the relevant amount of penalty is paid pursuant to subsection (2) (a), no person shall be liable for any further proceedings for that failure to attend for jury service.s 64: Am 1981 No 34, Sch 1 (5); 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (17); 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [25]; 1999 No 39, Sch 3 [10]–[12].
65 (Repealed)
s 65: Am 1981 No 34, Sch 1 (6); 1987 No 286, Sch 2 (6). Rep 1988 No 20, Sch 7 (2).
66 Penalty notices for failure to attend jury service
(1) If it appears to the sheriff or a person prescribed by the regulations that a person has contravened section 61, or has declined to be dealt with under section 64 in respect of a failure to attend for jury service, the sheriff or prescribed person may serve a penalty notice on the person.(2) A penalty notice is a notice to the effect that, if the person served does not wish to have the alleged contravention of section 61 or 63 dealt with by a court, the person may pay, within the time and to the person specified in the notice, the penalty of:(a) in the case of an alleged contravention of section 61—5 penalty units, or(b) in the case of an alleged contravention of section 63—15 penalty units.(3) If the relevant penalty for the alleged offence is paid in accordance with this section, no person is liable to any further proceedings for the alleged offence.(4) Payment in accordance with this section is not to be regarded as an admission of liability for the purposes of, nor is in any way to affect or prejudice, any civil claim, action or proceeding arising out of the same occurrence.(5) (Repealed)(6) This section does not limit the operation of this or any other Act in relation to proceedings that may be taken in respect of offences.s 66: Am 1981 No 34, Sch 1 (7); 1987 No 286, Sch 2 (7); 1988 No 20, Sch 7 (3). Subst 1996 No 4, Sch 2 [7]. Am 1999 No 39, Sch 3 [13]–[15].
67 Personation of jurors
Any person who personates a juror is guilty of an offence.Penalty: 50 penalty units.s 67: Subst 1990 No 51, Sch 2.
67A Inspection of panel
(1) A person must not inspect, or make available to any other person, a panel or card prepared for the purposes of this Act by the sheriff.Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.(2) This section does not apply to anything inspected or made available to another person:(a) for the purposes of executing this Act.(b), (c) (Repealed)s 67A: Ins 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (18). Am 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [26]; 1997 No 15, Sch 1 [16].
68 Disclosure etc of identity or address of juror
(1) A person shall not, except in accordance with this Act, wilfully publish any material, broadcast any matter or otherwise disclose any information which is likely to lead to the identification of a juror or former juror in a particular trial or inquest.Penalty: In the case of a corporation, $250,000; in any other case, 2 years imprisonment or 50 penalty units (or both).(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the identification of a former juror with the consent of the former juror.(3) A reference in this section to the identification of a juror or former juror includes a reference to the disclosure of the address of the juror or former juror.(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to the disclosure of information by the sheriff to any of the following bodies or persons for the purposes of an investigation or prosecution of a contempt of court or an offence relating to a juror or a jury:(a) a court,(b) the New South Wales Crime Commission,(c) the Independent Commission Against Corruption,(d) the Police Integrity Commission,(e) the Australian Crime Commission,(f) the Director of Public Prosecutions,(g) the Police Service,(h) the Australian Federal Police.(5) Subsection (1) does not apply to the disclosure of information by the sheriff to a person in accordance with an authority granted by the Attorney General for the conduct of a research project into matters relating to juries or jurors.(6) In this section:court includes any tribunal, authority or person having power to require the production of documents or the answering of questions.s 68: Subst 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (19). Am 2001 No 85, Sch 4 [1]; 2003 No 13, Sch 1.15 [1]; 2003 No 71, Sch 5 [2].
68A Soliciting information from or harassing jurors or former jurors
(1) A person shall not solicit information from, or harass, a juror or former juror for the purpose of obtaining information on the deliberations of a jury.Maximum penalty on indictment: imprisonment for 7 years.(2) The deliberations of a jury include statements made, opinions expressed, arguments advanced or votes cast by members of the jury in the course of their deliberations.(3) Subsection (1) does not prohibit a person from soliciting information from a juror or former juror in accordance with an authority granted by the Attorney General for the conduct of a research project into matters relating to juries or jury service.(4) Subsection (1) does not prohibit any of the following bodies or persons from soliciting information from a juror or former juror for the purposes of an investigation or prosecution of a contempt of court or an offence relating to a juror or a jury:(a) a court,(b) the New South Wales Crime Commission,(c) the Independent Commission Against Corruption,(d) the Police Integrity Commission,(e) the Australian Crime Commission,(f) the Director of Public Prosecutions,(g) the Police Service,(h) the Australian Federal Police.(5) In this section:court includes any tribunal, authority or person having power to require the production of documents or the answering of questions.s 68A: Ins 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (20). Am 1997 No 15, Sch 1 [17] [18]; 2001 No 85, Sch 4 [2]; 2003 No 13, Sch 1.15 [2].
68B Disclosure of information by jurors etc
(1) A juror shall not, except with the consent or at the request of the judge or coroner, wilfully disclose during the trial or inquest information on the deliberations of the jury to any person.Penalty: 20 penalty units.(2) A person (including a juror or former juror) shall not, for a fee, gain or reward, disclose or offer to disclose to any person information on the deliberations of a jury.Penalty: 50 penalty units.(3) The deliberations of a jury include statements made, opinions expressed, arguments advanced or votes cast by members of the jury in the course of their deliberations.s 68B: Ins 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (20).
69 Unlawful dismissal of or prejudice to employees summoned for jury service
(1) An employer shall not dismiss a person in his or her employment or injure the person in his or her employment or alter his or her position to his or her prejudice by reason of the fact that the person is summoned to serve as a juror.Penalty: 20 penalty units.(2) In proceedings for an offence under subsection (1), if all the facts constituting the offence other than the reason for the defendant’s action are proved, the onus of proving that the dismissal, injury or alteration was not actuated by the reason alleged in the charge shall lie on the defendant.(3) Where an employer is convicted by a court of an offence under subsection (1), the court may order:(a) the employer to pay the employee a specified sum by way of reimbursement for the salary or wages lost by the employee, and(b) that the employee be reinstated in his or her old or a similar position.(4) An order under subsection (3) (a) shall operate as an order against the employer for the payment of money under the Local Courts (Civil Claims) Act 1970 and shall be enforceable as such an order under that Act.(5) An employer shall give effect to an order of the court under subsection (3) (b).Penalty: 20 penalty units.(6) The amount of salary or wages that would have been payable to an employee in respect of any period that his or her employer fails to give effect to an order under subsection (3) (b) shall be recoverable, as a debt due to the employee by the employer, in any court of competent jurisdiction.(7) An employer shall not threaten a person employed by the employer with:(a) dismissal, or(b) injury in his or her employment, orby reason of the fact that the person is summoned to serve as a juror.(c) alteration of his or her position to his or her prejudice,Penalty: 20 penalty units.(8) In proceedings for an offence under subsection (7), if all the facts constituting the offence other than the reason for the defendant’s action are proved, the onus of proving that the threat was not actuated by the reason alleged in the charge lies on the defendant.(9) A person can be prosecuted for and convicted of offences under both subsections (1) and (7) in relation to the same circumstances.(10) In this section:employer includes a person acting on behalf of the employer.s 69: Am 1987 No 286, Schs 1 (21), 2 (8); 1998 No 49, Sch 15.
70 Directors etc liable where corporation commits offence
A person who is a director or an employee of a corporation which offends against this Act is guilty of the same offence, and liable to be punished as an individual guilty of that offence, if:(a) the offence committed by the corporation was committed with the knowledge of that person,(b) that person was in a position to influence the conduct of the corporation in relation to the commission of the offence by it, and(c) that person did not use all due diligence to prevent the commission of the offence by the corporation.
71 Proceedings for offences
(1) Except to the extent that this Act otherwise provides, proceedings for offences against this Act shall be disposed of in a summary manner before a Local Court.(1A) Proceedings for an offence under section 68 by a corporation may be dealt with:(a) summarily before a Local Court, or(b) summarily before the Supreme Court in its summary jurisdiction.(1B) If proceedings for an offence under section 68 by a corporation are brought in a Local Court, the maximum monetary penalty that the Local Court may impose for the offence is $10,000, despite any higher maximum monetary penalty provided in respect of the offence by that section.(2) Chapter 5 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (which relates to the summary disposal of certain indictable offences unless an election is made to proceed on indictment) applies to and in respect of an offence under section 68A.s 71: Am 1987 No 286, Sch 2 (9); 1997 No 15, Sch 1 [19]; 1999 No 94, Sch 4.34; 2001 No 121, Sch 2.131 [3] [4]; 2003 No 71, Sch 5 [3].
Part 10 General
72 Payment for jury service
(1) A person is entitled to be paid for attendance for jury service at a court or coronial inquest only if the person attends for service in accordance with the summons and does not then successfully apply to be excused from service.(1A) Such a payment is to be made at the prescribed rate.(2) Where civil proceedings are tried with a jury pursuant to a requisition for trial with a jury, the party who filed that requisition shall pay to the sheriff or any prescribed officer of the court on the prescribed day of the trial and on each subsequent day the amount, or if the regulations so provide any prescribed part of the amount, required to pay the fees for the jurors under subsection (1) for that day.(3) The fees paid under subsection (2) shall be treated as costs in the proceedings, unless the court otherwise orders.s 72: Am 1988 No 131, Sch 12 (4); 1996 No 4, Sch 2 [8].
72A Juror’s oath or affirmation
The form of oath or affirmation to be taken or made by a person before serving as a juror is an oath or affirmation that the person will give a true verdict according to the evidence.s 72A: Ins 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (22).
73 Verdict not invalidated in certain cases
The verdict of a jury shall not be affected or invalidated by reason only:(a) that any member of the jury was disqualified from serving as a juror or ineligible to serve as a juror,(b) of any omission, error or irregularity with respect to any supplementary jury roll, jury roll, card or summons prepared or issued for the purposes of this Act,(c) that any juror was misnamed or misdescribed (where there is no question as to the juror’s identity).s 73: Am 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [27].
74 Delegation
(1) The sheriff may, by instrument in writing, delegate to a deputy sheriff, under sheriff or other person employed in the sheriff’s office the exercise or performance of such of the sheriff’s powers, authorities, duties or functions (other than this power of delegation) as are specified in the instrument of delegation, and may, by instrument in writing, revoke wholly or in part any such delegation.(2) A power, authority, duty or function, the exercise or performance of which has been delegated under this section, may, while the delegation remains unrevoked, be exercised or performed from time to time in accordance with the terms of the delegation.(3) A delegation under this section may be made subject to such conditions or limitations as to the exercise or performance of any of the powers, authorities, duties or functions delegated, or as to time or circumstance, as may be specified in the instrument of delegation.(4) Notwithstanding any delegation under this section, the sheriff may continue to exercise or perform all or any of the powers, authorities, duties or functions delegated.(5) Any act or thing done or suffered by a delegate while acting in the exercise of a delegation under this section shall have the same force and effect as if the act or thing had been done or suffered by the sheriff and shall be deemed to have been done or suffered by the sheriff.
75 Service of summons etc
(1) Any summons, notice or other document required or authorised by or under this Act to be sent, served or given to any person by the sheriff shall be deemed to have been duly sent, served or given:(a) if delivered personally to that person, or if left at the address appearing on the jury roll in respect of that person, or(b) if sent by post, addressed to that person at that address.(2) Service of a summons, notice or other document in accordance with subsection (1) (b) shall be prima facie deemed to have been effected at the time when it would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.
75A Information to be supplied to sheriff
(1) For the purpose of allowing the functions of the sheriff to be carried out in pursuance of this Act in a timely and efficient manner, the registrars of the Supreme Court, District Court and Coroners Court are to provide the sheriff with such information about court sittings and trials as the sheriff may reasonably request.(2) For that purpose, the sheriff may also obtain relevant information from any judge or coroner having the conduct of any trial or inquest for which a jury has been or is to be summoned and from the parties concerned in any such proceedings.(3) Regulations may be made for or with respect to the provision of information to the sheriff by persons referred to in this section.s 75A: Ins 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [28].
75B Power to obtain information for purposes of Act
(1) The Commissioner of Police, the Commissioner of Corrective Services and any other person prescribed by the regulations are each authorised and required to provide the sheriff with information reasonably requested by the sheriff that is relevant to determining whether or not a person is liable to be included on a supplementary jury roll or a jury roll or for jury service.(2) It is a duty of each party to proceedings listed for trial by a jury or represented at a coronial inquest to inform the sheriff as soon as is practicable of any event of which the party becomes aware that affects the question of whether or not a jury will be required for the trial or inquest and the dates on which persons will be required to attend for jury service.s 75B: Ins 1996 No 4, Sch 1 [28].
76 Regulations
(1) The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.(2) A regulation may create an offence punishable by a penalty not exceeding 5 penalty units.s 76: Am 1987 No 286, Sch 2 (10).
77 Repeals
Each Act specified in Column 1 of Schedule 4 is, to the extent specified opposite that Act in Column 2 of Schedule 4, repealed.
78 (Repealed)
s 78: Am 1980 No 27, Sch 2. Rep 1999 No 85, Sch 4.
79 Transitional and savings provisions
Schedule 8 has effect.
Schedule 1 Persons disqualified from serving as jurors
(Section 6 (a))
1
A person who at any time within the last 10 years in New South Wales or elsewhere has served any part of a sentence of imprisonment (not being imprisonment merely for failure to pay a fine).
2
A person who at any time within the last 3 years in New South Wales or elsewhere has been found guilty of an offence and detained in a detention centre or other institution for juvenile offenders (not being detention merely for failure to pay a fine).
3
A person who is currently bound by an order made in New South Wales or elsewhere pursuant to a criminal charge or conviction, not including an order for compensation, but including the following:
(a) a parole order, a community service order, an apprehended violence order and an order disqualifying the person from driving a motor vehicle,
(b) an order committing the person to prison for failure to pay a fine,
(c) a recognizance to be of good behaviour or to keep the peace, a remand in custody pending trial or sentence and a release on bail pending trial or sentence.
sch 1: Am GG No 68 of 24.6.1977, p 2528. Subst 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (23); GG No 150 of 20.12.1996, p 8550. Am 1999 No 39, Sch 3 [16]; 1999 No 94, Sch 4.124.
Schedule 2 Persons ineligible to serve as jurors
(Section 6 (b))
1
The Governor.
2
A judicial officer (within the meaning of the Judicial Officers Act 1986).
3
A coroner.
4
A member or officer of the Executive Council.
5
A member of the Legislative Council or Legislative Assembly.
6
Officers and other staff of either or both of the Houses of Parliament.
7
A legal practitioner (whether or not a practising barrister or solicitor).
8
A person employed or engaged (except on a casual or voluntary basis) in the public sector in law enforcement, criminal investigation, the provision of legal services in criminal cases, the administration of justice or penal administration.
9
The Ombudsman and a Deputy Ombudsman.
10
A person who at any time has been a judicial officer (within the meaning of the Judicial Officers Act 1986) or a coroner, police officer, Crown Prosecutor, Public Defender, Director or Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions or Solicitor for Public Prosecutions.
11
A person who is unable to read or understand English.
12
A person who is unable, because of sickness, infirmity or disability, to discharge the duties of a juror.
Note—
Other persons are ineligible because of the Jury Exemption Act 1965 of the Commonwealth.
sch 2: Am GG No 68 of 24.6.1977, p 2528; 1978 No 155, Sch 4; GG No 86 of 20.6.1980, p 3127 (as on and from 1.7.1980); GG No 39 of 9.3.1984, p 1458; GG No 53 of 6.4.1984, p 1894; 1986 No 212, Sch 1. Subst 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (23). Am 1989 No 89, Sch 1; GG No 121 of 15.12.1989, p 10794; 1989 No 192, Sch 3; 1992 No 111, Sch 1; 1995 No 28, Sch 2.2. Subst GG No 150 of 20.12.1996, p 8550. Am 2002 No 42, Sch 4.6.
Schedule 3 Persons who have a right to claim exemption
(Section 7)
1
Clergy.
2
Vowed members of any religious order.
3
Persons practising as dentists.
4
Persons practising as pharmacists.
5
Persons practising as medical practitioners.
6
Mining managers and under-managers of mines.
7
A person employed or engaged (except on a casual or voluntary basis) in the provision of fire, ambulance, rescue, or other emergency services, whether or not in the public sector.
8
Persons who are at least 70 years old.
9
Pregnant women.
10
A person who has the care, custody and control of children under the age of 18 years (other than children who have ceased attending school), and who, if exempted, would be the only person exempt under this item in respect of those children.
11
A person who resides with, and has full-time care of, a person who is sick, infirm or disabled.
12
A person who resides more than 56 kilometres from the place at which the person is required to serve.
13
A person who:
(a) within the 3 years that end on the date of the person’s claim for exemption, attended court in accordance with a summons and served as a juror, or
(b) within the 12 months that end on the date of the person’s claim for exemption, attended court in accordance with a summons and who was prepared to, but did not, serve as a juror.
14
A person who is entitled to be exempted under section 39 on account of previous lengthy jury service.
sch 3: Am GG No 86 of 20.6.1980, p 3128; GG No 67 of 8.5.1981, p 2538 (as on and from 1.7.1980). Subst 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (23). Am 1994 No 13, Sch 4; 1996 No 4, Sch 1 (29). Subst GG No 150 of 20.12.1996, p 8550.
sch 5: Rep 1999 No 85, Sch 4.
sch 6: Rep 1980 No 27, Sch 2.
sch 7: Rep 1999 No 85, Sch 4.
Schedule 4 Repeals
(Section 77)
Column 1 | Column 2 | |
Year and number of Act | Short title of Act | Extent of repeal |
1912 No 31 | The whole Act. | |
1918 No 33 | The whole Act. | |
1924 No 8 | The whole Act. | |
1924 No 10 | Section 34. | |
1929 No 2 | Section 19. | |
1937 No 35 | So much of the Second Schedule as amends Act No 31, 1912. | |
1947 No 41 | The unrepealed portion except sections 1 (1) and 7. | |
1951 No 42 | The whole Act. | |
1957 No 13 | Section 10, so much of First Schedule as amends Act No 31, 1912, and so much of the Second Schedule as relates to the Jury Act 1912. | |
1965 No 12 | Section 16 and so much of the Schedule as relates to the Jury Act 1912. | |
1965 No 12 | Section 26 and so much of the Schedule as relates to the Jury Act 1912. | |
1968 No 3 | So much of section 3 as relates to Part 7, Part 7 and so much of the Schedule as relates to the Jury Act 1912. | |
1970 No 52 | So much of the First Schedule as relates to Act No 41, 1947, and so much of the Second Schedule as amends Act No 31, 1912. | |
1972 No 41 | Paragraph (t) of the Second Schedule. | |
1973 No 9 | So much of Schedule 2 as amends Act No 31, 1912, and Act No 41, 1947. | |
1974 No 50 | Section 15. | |
1974 No 51 | Item 178 of the Schedule. | |
1975 No 65 | Section 7. | |
Schedules 5–7 (Repealed)
Schedule 8 Transitional and savings provisions
(Section 79)
Part 1 Preliminary and regulations
1 Definitions
In this Schedule:commencement of this Act means the day appointed and notified under section 2 (2).former Act means the Jury Act 1912 as in force immediately before the commencement of this Act.
1A Transitional and savings regulations
(1) The regulations may make provision of a transitional or savings nature consequent on the enactment of the following Acts:This ActCourts Legislation Amendment Act 2001 (but only to the extent that it amends this Act)(2) A provision referred to in subclause (1) may, if the regulations so provide, take effect from the date of assent to the Act concerned or a later day.(3) To the extent to which a provision referred to in subclause (1) takes effect from a date that is earlier than the date of its publication in the Gazette, the provision does not operate so as:(a) to affect, in a manner prejudicial to any person (other than the State or an authority of the State), the rights of that person existing before the date of its publication, or(b) to impose liabilities on any person (other than the State or an authority of the State) in respect of anything done or omitted to be done before the date of its publication.(4) A provision referred to in subclause (1) shall, if the regulations so provide, have effect notwithstanding any other clause of this Schedule.
Part 2 Transitional and savings provisions consequent on enactment of this Act
2 Former Act to continue for return of jury in each district until appointed day
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act and subject to subclause (2), Parts 2 and 8 of the former Act and sections 26 and 43 of the Mental Health Act 1958 as in force immediately before the commencement of this Act shall continue in force for or with respect to the return of a jury for any trial in a jury district until such day as may be appointed by the Governor in respect of that jury district and as may be notified by proclamation published in the Gazette.(2) The jurors’ book in force immediately before the commencement of this Act for any jury district shall, for the purposes of subclause (1), be deemed to be the jurors’ book for that district.
3 Act in force for certain purposes
Clause 2 does not affect, during the period after the commencement of this Act and before the day appointed and notified under that clause in respect of any jury district, the provisions of this Act relating to:(a) the preparation of a jury roll for that jury district, and(b) the issue of general jury precepts and the summoning and return of jurors in pursuance of those precepts for trials commencing in that jury district after the day appointed and notified in respect of that jury district.
4 Day appointed for jury district
(1) The day appointed and notified under clause 2 in respect of any jury district shall not be earlier than the day on which the sheriff certifies a jury roll for that district prepared in accordance with this Act.(2) The Governor may for the purposes of clause 2 appoint different days in respect of different jury districts.
5 Juries at coronial inquests
(1) Section 28 of the Coroners Act 1980 shall not apply if a day has not been appointed and notified under clause 2 in respect of the jury district at which the coronial inquest would, under that section, be required to be held.(2) The provisions of the Coroners Act 1960, relating to the qualifications and liability to serve as a juror at, or relating to the return of a jury for, any coronial inquest shall continue in force until the day appointed and notified under clause 2 in respect of the jury district at which the inquest is held.
6 Trials in progress at commencement of Act
Nothing in this Act affects any trial in progress at the commencement of this Act.
7 Old rules etc continue to apply
Except as provided in this or in any other Act, a jury in criminal or civil proceedings or in a coronial inquest shall be subject to the same rules and manner of proceeding as were observed before the commencement of this Act.
Part 3 Transitional and savings provisions consequent on enactment of Jury (Amendment) Act 1987
8 Pending trials and inquests
The amendments made by the Jury (Amendment) Act 1987 (except Schedule 1 (5), (6), (22) and (23) to that Act) apply to and in respect of a trial or inquest even though the trial or inquest commenced before the commencement of those amendments.
9 Existing rolls
The amendments made by Schedule 1 (1) and (23) to the Jury (Amendment) Act 1987 do not apply to or in respect of a jury roll in force before the commencement of those amendments.
Part 4 Transitional and savings provisions consequent on enactment of Jury Amendment Act 1996
10 Saving and culling of former jury rolls
(1) The jury roll in force for a jury district immediately before the commencement of section 15A is taken to have been prepared in accordance with Part 3, as amended by the Jury Amendment Act 1996.(2) After the commencement of section 15A, the sheriff is to remove from the jury roll for each jury district a sufficient number of the persons who were on the roll immediately before that commencement to compensate for those whose names are added to supplement the roll in accordance with section 15A, until all of those persons have been removed from the roll (except any whose names have been reinstated on the roll pursuant to section 15A (1)).(3) The selection of persons to be removed from a jury roll pursuant to subclause (2) is to be made at random and may be made by use of a computer.(4) Within 15 months after the commencement of section 15A, the sheriff must remove from a jury roll all of the persons who were on the jury roll immediately before that commencement (except any whose names have been reinstated on the roll pursuant to section 15A (1)).
11 Saving of summonses
This Act, as in force immediately before the commencement of Schedule 1 [13] to the Jury Amendment Act 1996, applies to and in respect of a summons issued by the sheriff under Part 5 before that commencement.
12 Transitional provisions
(1) Section 57A (relating to courts deciding issues of fact) does not apply to a trial that commenced before the commencement of that section.(2) Section 58 (relating to the discharge of a jury that disagree in civil proceedings), as in force immediately before the commencement of Schedule 2 [4] and [5] to the Jury Amendment Act 1996 applies to a trial commenced before the commencement of those items.(3) Section 66 (as inserted by the Jury Amendment Act 1996 and relating to penalty notices for failure to attend for jury service) applies to a failure to attend for jury service before or after the commencement of that section.(4) Section 72 (relating to payment for jury service) as in force immediately before the commencement of Schedule 2 [8] to the Jury Amendment Act 1996 applies to an attendance for jury service before that commencement.
13 Saving of fees
The rates for jury fees prescribed for the purposes of section 72 (1) immediately before the commencement of Schedule 2 [8] to the Jury Amendment Act 1996 are taken to have been prescribed for the purposes of section 72 (1A), as substituted by that Act, until further rates are prescribed.
Part 5 Transitional and savings provisions consequent on enactment of Jury Amendment Act 1997
14 Uncompleted proceedings
An amendment made by Schedule 1 [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [11], [12], [14], [15] or [16] to the Jury Amendment Act 1997 does not apply in respect of a trial or coronial inquest commenced but not completed before the commencement of the amendment.
Part 6 Transitional and savings provisions consequent on enactment of Courts Legislation Amendment Act 1999
15 Peremptory challenges in civil proceedings
Section 42A, as inserted by the Courts Legislation Amendment Act 1999, applies only in respect of civil proceedings for which a jury is selected after the commencement of this clause.
Part 7 Transitional and savings provisions consequent on enactment of Courts Legislation Amendment Act 2001
16 Disclosing and soliciting information regarding jurors and jury deliberations
Sections 68 and 68A, as amended by Schedule 4 to the Courts Legislation Amendment Act 2001, apply to acts, matters or things done, and in relation to jurors and jury deliberations in criminal proceedings, that were finally determined before, on or after the commencement of those amendments.
sch 8: Am 1980 No 31, sec 3 (d); 1987 No 286, Sch 1 (24); 1996 No 4, Sch 2 [9] [10]; 1997 No 15, Sch 1 [20] [21]; 1999 No 39, Sch 3 [17] [18]; 2001 No 85, Sch 4 [3] [4].