Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015

Jury service

Removal of maximum age for jury service

77.  In Article 3(1) of the Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (persons qualified and liable for jury service) for “aged between 18 and 70 years” substitute “aged over 18 years”.

Preparation of jury lists

78.  In Article 4(2) of the Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (selection from register of electors) omit sub-paragraph (b)(i).

Persons disqualified for jury service

79.  In Schedule 1 to the Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (persons disqualified for jury service) after paragraph 1 insert—

“1A.   Any person who has at any time been convicted of an offence and had imposed on him an indeterminate custodial sentence under Article 13 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008”.

Persons ineligible for jury service

80.—(1) Schedule 2 to the Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (persons ineligible for jury service) is amended as follows.

(2) After the entry relating to the Policing Board insert—

• “Members of the National Crime Agency and National Crime Agency officers.”.

(3) Omit the following entries—

• “A person appointed for the purposes of Article 7(6) of the Treatment of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1976.”

• “Members of the Royal Irish Regiment.”.

Persons excusable as of right from jury service

81.—(1) Schedule 3 to the Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (persons excusable from jury service as of right) is amended as follows.

(2) For the entry relating to Representatives to the European Parliament substitute—

• “Members of the European Parliament”.

(3) For the entry relating to the Secretary and any Director of the Northern Ireland Audit Office substitute—

• “The Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland and any Assistant Auditor General for Northern Ireland”.

(4) For the entry relating to persons aged between 65 and 70 years and the heading immediately before it substitute—

“Persons aged over 70 years

• Persons aged over 70 years”.