Article 2 Amendment of the Criminal Procedure Rules 1996

in rule 14.1A(1) (minimum number of jurors for balloting jury)^f3 for “present, whether in the courtroom in which the trial is to proceed or assembled elsewhere within the court building” substitute “available for balloting”;

for rule 14.2(2) (balloting of jurors) substitute—

“(2)

After 15 such names have been drawn (“the first list”), the clerk of court must draw a further 5 names (“the reserve list”) and where any person on the first list—

(a)

does not appear;

(b)

is challenged and is set aside; or

(c)

before any evidence is led, is excused,

the persons on the reserve list will, in the order in which their names were drawn, replace on the first list each such absent, challenged or excused juror until the number required for the trial is attained.

(3)

Paragraph (4) applies where the court considers that a reserve list of 5 jurors may be insufficient to ensure the number required for the trial will be attained.

(4)

The court may, of its own accord or on the application of a party, after hearing parties, direct that the reserve list be increased to a maximum of 10 jurors.”.