Explanatory note

This note is not part of the order, but is intended to indicate its general effect.

This order brings into force, on 29 June 2009, section 19 of the Juries Amendment Act 2008. Section 19 inserts new sections 29C and 29D into the Juries Act 1981. The new sections enable a court to accept majority rather than unanimous verdicts. Under new section 29C, a majority verdict in a criminal case means a verdict agreed to by all but 1 of the jurors. Under new section 29D, a majority verdict in a civil case means a verdict agreed to by at least three-fourths of the jurors.

The remaining sections of the amendment Act, other than sections 4, 11, and 12, are already in force, having come into force 6 months after the date on which the Act received the Royal assent. Sections 4, 11, and 12 come into force on a date to be appointed by the Governor-General by Order in Council, and 1 or more Orders in Council may be made appointing different dates for different provisions.