Article 2 Excusing of jurors

After rule 47 of the Crown Court Rules (Northern Ireland) 1979^f1 there shall be inserted the following new rule—

“Excusing of jurors

47A

(1)

Subject to paragraphs (2) to (4) the powers of a judge under Article 10 and 11(1) of the 1996 Order may be exercised by the Juries Officer.

(2)

A person dissatisfied with a decision of a Juries Officer made under Article 10 or 11(1) of the 1996 Order and this rule may appeal to a judge in accordance with paragraph (3).

(3)

An appeal under this rule shall be commenced by the appellant giving notice of appeal to the Juries Officer and such notice shall be in writing and shall specify the matters upon which the appellant relies in support of his appeal.

(4)

A judge shall not dismiss an appeal under this rule unless the appellant has been given an opportunity of making representations.

(5)

Where an appeal under this rule is decided in the absence of the appellant, the Juries Officer shall notify him of the decision without delay.

(6)

In this rule—

• “county court division” means a county court division specified under Article 3(1) of the County Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1980^f2;

• “Juries Officer” means the Juries Officer designated under Article 2(2) of the 1996 Order for the county court division in which the person is summoned for jury service under Article 8 of the 1996 Order;

• “the 1996 Order” means the Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.”.