Explanatory Notes

Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015

2015 CHAPTER 2

12 February 2015

Commentary on Sections

Part 3 – Courts and Tribunals

Juries and members of the Court Martial

Section 77: Supplementary provision

577.Subsection (1) amends Schedule 1 to the Juries Act 1974 (persons disqualified for jury service) to provide that a person who at any time in the last 10 years has been convicted of any of the new offences inserted into the Juries Act 1974 or Schedule 6 to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 or Schedule 2A to the Armed Forces Act 2006 by the provisions of this Act will be disqualified from undertaking jury service.

578.Subsection (2) makes clear that the creation of the new offences to be inserted in the Juries Act 1974 does not affect what constitutes contempt of court at common law. The common law of contempt of court is therefore unaffected by these new provisions. Paragraph 7 of Schedule 13 makes equivalent provision in connection with the new offences inserted in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.