Jury duty will be easier under rule changes which come into effect immediately, says Justice Minister Simon Power.The main change will allow jurors to apply to defer jury service to a more convenient time within 12 months of the original summons date, he
Jury duty will be easier under rule changes which come into effect immediately, says Justice Minister Simon Power.
The main change will allow jurors to apply to defer jury service to a more convenient time within 12 months of the original summons date, he said in a joint statement with Courts Minister Georgina te Heuheu.
"We need to make it as easy as possible for people to take part in this important civic duty," Mr Power said.
"Making the system more flexible is expected to improve overall juror attendance and reduce the number of excusals granted."
Mr Power said that last year about 62%, or 199,760, of the 321,832 people summoned for jury service were excused and a further 21% (67,938) failed to attend.
Mrs te Heuheu said jury districts were being extended from 30km to 45km from a jury trial courthouse.
"Extending jury district and the eligible jury pool means people are less likely to be frequently summoned," she said.
The information jurors received when summoned, and while at court, had been updated to make sure it was easily understood.
Mrs Te Heuheu said advice was being prepared for ministers on what changes should be made to ensure jurors' personal information was not used inappropriately.
"I'm looking hard at whether jurors' addresses are essential information that needs to be included on juror lists and hope to make an announcement in the near future," she said.
