A consultation has launched today on proposed changes to jury eligibility criteria.
Laws were last updated in 1980 when it was decided to allow women to serve as jurors (yes 1980!).
Currently several groups of people are automatically excluded from jury duty, including Tynwald members, a whole range of people across government, ordained ministers, journalists, the Clerk of Douglas Town Council and lighthouse keepers.
Under the proposed reforms, it would remove many automatic exemptions, replacing them with case-by-case exemptions as happens in the UK.
Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Jane Poole-Wilson MHK, said: “Jury service is a vital part of our justice system, and it is important that the procedure for selecting jurors is fair, transparent, and results in juries that are representative of our community.
“This consultation provides an opportunity for the public to help shape how jury eligibility should work in the future.”
Submissions can be made via the Government Consultation Hub. For alternative formats or queries, email Matthew.Cover2@gov.im or call 01624 686771.
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