Jury Empanelment

In March 2013, the Victorian Law Reform Commission was asked to review and report on whether changes are needed to ensure that the jury empanelment process operates justly, effectively and efficiently. Submissions closed on 15 November 2013.

The review considers peremptory challenges in civil and criminal trials and the Crown right to stand aside jurors in criminal trials.

The review considers the calling of the panel outlined in s.31 of the Juries Act. The review should consider the introduction of the practice of empanelling juries by number.

The review considers s 48 of the Juries Act 2000, which applies when there are additional jurors on the jury. The review considers whether it is desirable for the jury to be reduced to 12 (or 6 as the case requires) before the jury retires to consider its verdict.

The Commission will report by 31 May 2014.