Juries Act 1974

The Juries Act 1974 (c. 23) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. According to its long title, the purpose of the Act is "to consolidate certain enactments relating to juries, jurors and jury service with corrections and improvements made under the Consolidation of Enactments (Procedure) Act 1949." Among others, the Act states who is eligible for jury service in the UK, who is disqualified, and whom may be excused.

Under the provisions of the Act, any individual is qualified to serve as a juror or be called upon for jury duty in the Crown Court, High Court or county courts if:

1. they are registered as a parliamentary or local government elector,
2. they are between the ages of 18 and 70,
3. they have been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for any period of at least five years since the age of 13, and
4. they are not otherwise ineligible or disqualified.

The following persons are ineligible from jury service:

1. The judiciary
2. Those concerned with administration of justice, e.g. policemen, solicitors, barristers, forensic scientists or prison wardens
3. The clergy, e.g. men in holy orders or regular ministers of any religious denomination
4. The mentally ill

The following persons are disqualified from jury service:

1. Those sentenced to more than five years in prison
2. Those who have been in prison within the previous 10 years
3. Those who have been on probation within the previous 5 years
4. Those on probation

The following persons may be excused from jury service:

1. Those over 65
2. Members of the Houses of Parliament
3. Members of the European Parliament
4. Members of the Welsh Assembly
5. Serving members of the naval, military or air forces
6. Members of the medical profession, e.g. registered and practising doctors, nurses, dentists or vets
7. Members of religious orders whose beliefs are incompatible with jury service
8. Those who have previously served on a jury within the past two years

The Act also states that personation of a juror may result in the trial in which the juror sat being voided.