The Criminal Procedure Rules 2015

Assessment of juror’s availability for long trial, etc.

26.4.—(1) The court may invite each member of a panel of jurors to provide such information, by such means and at such a time as the court directs, about—

(a) that juror’s availability to try a case expected to last for longer than the juror had expected to serve;

(b) any association of that juror with, or any knowledge by that juror of—

(i) a party or witness, or

(ii) any other person, or any place, of significance to the case.

(2) Where jurors provide information under this rule, the court may postpone the selection of the jury to try a case to allow each juror an opportunity to review and amend that information before that selection.

(3) Using that information, the court may exercise its power to excuse a juror from selection as a member of the jury to try a case, but the court must not—

(a) excuse a juror without allowing the parties an opportunity to make representations; or

(b) refuse to excuse a juror without allowing that juror such an opportunity.