A joint announcement of the Supreme Court of NSW and the District Court of NSW

New Jury Trials to be temporarily suspended from Monday, 16 March 2020

The Chief Justice, the Hon TF Bathurst AC, and Chief Judge of the District Court, the Hon D Price AM, today announced that due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) new jury trials commencing across NSW from Monday, 16 March 2020, will be temporarily suspended whilst the empanelment process is reviewed and steps are taken to seek to limit the close social contact amongst jurors which is a feature of jury trials. Current trials, where a jury has already been selected and empanelled, will continue.

This decision has been made in response to the Australian Government's advice to limit large gatherings and close social contact over an extended period of time.

Jury service plays an important role in our justice system and the Courts will be assisted by members of the NSW Chief Medical Officer's team to review and amend the current empanelment process to follow current health guidelines.

Judge alone trials, bail applications and civil trials will not be affected. Steps have already been implemented to enable those matters to proceed taking into account the advice received concerning the virus.

The Court continues to monitor the health advice from the Australian and NSW Government's health departments in relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19). The health and safety of all court users remains of paramount importance whilst maintaining access to justice and essential court services.

Further information

The jury system in NSW is administered by the Jury Services Branch of the Office of the Sheriff of New South Wales.

Potential jurors with a summons to attend court should contact the juror information line on 1300 780 199 or visit www.juror.nsw.gov.au.

15 March 2020