Juries Act 1976

Number 4 of 1976

JURIES ACT 1976

REVISED

Updated to 3 February 2026

This Revised Act is an administrative consolidation of the Juries Act 1976. It is prepared by the Law Reform Commission in accordance with its function under the Law Reform Commission Act 1975 (3/1975) to keep the law under review and to undertake revision and consolidation of statute law.

All Acts up to and including the Credit Review Act 2026 (1/2026), enacted 3 February 2026, and all statutory instruments up to and including the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2026 (S.I. No. 31 of 2026), made 3 February 2026, were considered in the preparation of this Revised Act.

Disclaimer: While every care has been taken in the preparation of this Revised Act, the Law Reform Commission can assume no responsibility for and give no guarantees, undertakings or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness or up to date nature of the information provided and does not accept any liability whatsoever arising from any errors or omissions. Please notify any errors, omissions and comments by email to

revisedacts@lawreform.ie.

Number 4 of 1976

JURIES ACT 1976

REVISED

Updated to 3 February 2026

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I

Preliminary and General

Section
1.	Short title.
2.	Interpretation.
3.	Expenses.
4.	Repeals.
4A.	Designated court office.

PART II

Qualification and Liability for Service as a Juror

5.	Jury districts.
6.	Qualification and liability for jury service.
7.	Ineligibility.
8.	Disqualification.
9.	Excusal from service.

PART III

Selection and Service of Jurors

10.	Supply of electoral registers.
11.	Empanelling of jurors.
12.	Summoning of jurors.
13.	Service of jury summons.
14.	Summoning of jurors to make up deficiency.
15.	Selection of jury from panel.
15A.	Additional jurors.
16.	Inspection of jury panel.
17.	Mode of swearing a jury.
18.	Administration of oath to jurors.
19.	Forms of oaths to be taken by jurors.
20.	Challenges without cause shown.
21.	Challenges for cause shown.
22.	View by jury.
23.	Death or discharge of juror during trial.
24.	Discontinuance of juror's service.
25.	Separation of juries during trial.
26.	Non-effect of appeals as to electoral register on jury service.

PART IV

General

27.	Administrative instructions. (Repealed)
28.	Person standing mute.
29.	Jury service by employees and apprentices.
30.	Commission de lunatico inquirendo.
31.	Liability to serve on coroner's jury.
32.	Non-application of provisions to coroners' inquests.
33.	Restriction of functions of sheriff.

PART V

Offences

34.	Failure of juror to attend court etc.
35.	False statements by or on behalf of juror.
36.	Service by ineligible or disqualified person.
37.	Refusal to be sworn as a juror.

FIRST SCHEDULE

Persons Ineligibile and Persons Excusable as of Right

PART I

Persons Ineligible

PART II

Persons Excusable as of Right

SECOND SCHEDULE

Repeals

Acts Referred to
Children Act, 1908	1908, c. 67
Court Officers Act, 1945	1908, c. 67
Electoral Act, 1963	1963, No. 19
Interpretation Act, 1937	1937, No. 38
Oaths Act, 1888	1888, c. 46

Number 4 of 1976

JURIES ACT 1976

REVISED

Updated to 3 February 2026

AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW RELATING TO JURIES [2nd March, 1976]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:

Revised Acts

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Juries Act 1976