More people to be made eligible for jury service

The changes will see more people eligible to serve as members of a jury in criminal trials

An overhaul of the Isle of Man's jury duty exemptions system has been approved by Tynwald.

From January, the list of those who would not be called to serve on a jury for criminal trials narrowed significantly.

A consultation over the issue saw 85% of respondents support the removal of exemption for members of several professions and people with disabilities.

Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson said the changes were needed to "maintain confidence" in the justice system.

She said the new rules removed "categories that are no longer appropriate" such as blanket exclusions for disabled people or those with mental health conditions.

"The order is about modernising our approach, removing outdated exclusions, maintaining necessary safeguards and ensuring that jury service remains a civic responsibility shared as widely as possible," she said.

Jane Poole-Wilson put the changes forward in Tynwald for approval

Under the changes, the only groups to automatically be excluded from jury eligibility would be the lieutenant governor, Crown appointments, members of Tynwald, those directly involved in the administration of justice, the Tynwald Auditor General and Tynwald Commissioner for Administration and full-time members of the Armed Forces.

However, she said flexibility in the system meant the impact of someone employed in frontline services serving on a jury for a lengthy trial, or for those who would be caused financial hardship, would be something that could be considered on a discretionary basis by the Chief Registrar.

Putting the changes forward for approval, Pool-Wilson said: "The right to trial by jury is a fundamental part of our justice system.

"To maintain confidence in that system, it is important that juries are as representative as possible of the community they serve."