Public consultation launched on major review of jury eligibility

The Isle of Man Government has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to who is eligible to serve on a jury - marking the most significant review of the system since 1980.

The proposals would remove many of the automatic exemptions currently granted to certain professions, such as medical practitioners, civil servants, journalists, and clergy.

Under the new approach, people would no longer be excluded solely due to their job, but could still request to be excused on a case-by-case basis for valid reasons such as caring responsibilities or impact on employment.

The review follows recommendations from a Tynwald Select Committee which calls for a more inclusive and representative jury pool.

The government says the goal is to ensure fairness, better reflect the Island’s community, and align more closely with practices in England and Wales, where most professional exemptions no longer apply.

The current framework, based on the Jury Act 1980, has remained largely unchanged for 45 years.

As it stands, the jury list is compiled annually from the electoral register and includes numerous automatic disqualifications and exemptions grouped by profession or circumstance, including those with recent criminal convictions or certain mental health conditions.

The consultation invites public feedback on whether the list of exemptions should be updated, whether the current 10-year-post employment exemption period should be shortened, and whether further professions or circumstances should be added or removed from consideration.

Justice and Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson said: “Jury service is a vital part of our justice system, and it is important that the procedure for selecting jurors is fair, transparent, and results in juries that are representative of our community.

“This consultation provides an opportunity for the public to help shape how jury eligibility should work in the future.”

The consultation is open until 23 May and can be accessed via the government’s consultation hub HERE.