Views on jury duty criteria wanted to update laws

Eligibility criteria on the island has not been updated since 1980

Feedback on who should be allowed to serve on a jury on the Isle of Man is being sought by the Department of Home Affairs.

The Jury Eligibility Criteria Consultation seeks to update legislation last implemented under the Jury Act in 1980.

It comes after a Tynwald select committee called for the criteria to be modernised.

Justice and Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson said the consultation would "help shape how jury eligibility should work in the future".

She said: "Jury service is a vital part of our justice system.

"It is important that the procedure for selecting jurors is fair, transparent, and results in juries that are representative of our community."

Exemptions

Any defendant in a criminal case heard by the higher court has the right to be tried by a jury of their peers, under the island's legal system.

The Jury Act 1980 allowed female jurors for the first time, and expanded the age range to between 18 and 65-years-old.

Under the current system several professions are automatically exempt from serving, including politicians, members of the clergy, medical practitioners, and members of the judiciary.

However in England and Wales, with the exception of people with a mental disorder or those who have a recent criminal history, prospective jurors are approved on a case-by-case basis.

The Manx consultation asks residents whether they believe the list of exemptions from jury duty should be updated and whether it should more closely align with England and Wales.

It breaks down the occupations that are exempt and asks people if any or all of them should be automatically excluded or not.

Anyone can respond to the consultation, which closes on 23 May.