Juries Act 1974
The Juries Act 1974 (c. 23) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. According to its long title, the purpose of the act is "to consolidate certain enactments relating to juries, jurors and jury service with corrections and improvements made under the Consolidation of Enactments (Procedure) Act 1949." Among others, the act states who is eligible for jury service in England and Wales, who is disqualified, and who may be excused.
| Act of Parliament | |
Parliament of the United Kingdom | |
| Long title | An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to juries, jurors and jury service with corrections and improvements made under the Consolidation of Enactments (Procedure) Act 1949. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 1974 c. 23 |
| Territorial extent | England and Wales |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 9 July 1974 |
Status: Amended | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
Under the provisions of the act, any individual is qualified to serve as a juror or be called upon for jury duty in the Crown Court, High Court or county courts if:
- they are registered as a parliamentary or local government elector,
- they are between the ages of 18 and 75,
- they have been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for any period of at least five years since the age of 13, and
- they are not otherwise ineligible or disqualified.
Section 17 of the act allows majority verdicts for the first time in England and Wales: in the Crown Court or High Court, one juror may dissent without resulting in a hung jury if the jury consists of at least ten persons, or two if there are at least eleven; and at least seven must agree in the County Court regardless of size. Normally there are twelve, and the minimum size is eight.