Jurors

In the ACT, Jurors are only used in cases where a person is accused of a serious crime and their matter is being heard in the Supreme Court.

A jury of 12 people (“jurors”) is used to decide whether the person is guilty or not guilty.

Using a jury to assist in deciding the innocence or guilt of an accused person ensures that the community has a role in the administration of justice.

Anyone whose name is on the ACT electoral roll may be randomly selected (summoned) for jury service.

After receiving a jury duty summons you should note the following important information located on the summons as you may need to refer to it later:

  1. The date and time you are required to attend
  2. Your Pool Number

If you can’t read, have trouble writing or English is your second language and you would like to ask for an exemption or postponement you will need to ask a friend to assist you to log onto the jury management system to complete the online jury questionnaire.

You can access the questionnaire here.

Online Jury Questionnaire

After you reading your summons you will need to log onto the online jury questionnaire.  The questionnaire allows you to let us know if you can attend jury service or if you are asking to be excused, exempted or deferred from jury service.  Information about logging onto the system can be found here .

Disqualified, Ineligible, Exempt Or Postponed

You may either be disqualified from performing jury service, be exempt or ask to be excused from jury service.  The classes of people who fall into these categories are outlined in the Juries Regulations 2018 and can be located here.

You may ask for a postponement of your Jury Duty if you are:

  • responsible for caring for someone;
  • travelling;
  • ill;
  • pregnant and
  • other urgent, or, important matters.

The Jury Handbook has current information about the relevant legislation governing disqualification and exemption of jurors. If you are eligible for disqualification or exemption under the current legislation, the Sheriff may either excuse you, or postpone your jury service.

Payment For Jury Service

The amount you will be paid for jury duty is set out in the current Juries (Payment) Determination.

Please be aware that it may take some weeks after your jury attendance has finished before payment is made.

Public servants

Public servants should receive their normal salary whilst on jury duty. Your payment for jury service will include:

  • a travel and parking allowance for each day that you are required to attend Court; and
  • a payment for attending Court; and/or
  • a daily payment for each day of service for those who serve on a jury.

Non-public servants

For private sector employees, other than casuals, your employer is required by the National Employment Standards to make up the difference between your jury payments and your normal basic pay for the first 10 days of jury service. It is wise to check with your Human Resources department to find out what arrangements are in place for people on jury service.

If you are receiving a government pension, you will need to declare the jury payment to Centrelink as it will be considered as ‘income’.

To ensure that all payments due to you are processed smoothly, fill out and return the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form sent to you with your summons, as soon as possible. At the latest, bring it with you when you first attend Court.

Security Scanning in the ACT Law Courts Building

Before you can enter the ACT Law Courts Building, your belongings (including bags, wallet, keys and mobile phones) will need to pass through an X-ray machine.

You will also need to walk through a metal scanner, and if the presence of metal is detected (including jewellery), security attendants will ask you to step aside so they can scan you with a hand held metal detector.

Juror Support Program:

Anyone attending for jury service who experiences anxiety , distress or confusion from their attendance has the opportunity to access the Juror Support Program.  This program provides free confidential counselling and debriefing sessions through a registered health and wellbeing service provider.

If you wish to access the Juror Support Program, please contact the Jury Management Unit on 6207 4269 for further information.