The upper age limit for those liable for jury service will be raised to 75 from 1 December – a change that reflects improved life expectancy.
This rise will enable more people in retirement to participate in their civic duty and spread the load of the jury system.
About 178,000 people between the ages of 18 and 70 in England and Wales do jury service each year. Another 3 million people will be added to the available pool of jurors by raising the age limit; up to 6,000 older pensioners are likely to be called to sit on a jury each year.
Anyone selected for jury service may apply to be excused if they feel incapable of carrying out their duties. This is the first change to jury ages since 1988, when it was raised from 65 to 70.
Be the first to comment