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The jury system in NSW is administered by the NSW Sheriff's Office, operating in accordance with the NSW Jury Act 1977 and Jury Regulation 2022.
Juries are used in the NSW District Court and NSW Supreme Court to hear and determine:
Jury service plays an essential role in our justice system. Juries ensure that legal verdicts are impartial and in line with the law and with community standards of behaviour.
Serving as a juror can be a rewarding experience which offers unique insights into a court room, it’s diverse players and proceedings.
To find out more about who is eligible for jury service, you can read our Fact sheet – Eligibility for jury service (PDF, 181.9 KB).
There are 4 main steps to jury selection. People who sit as jurors in a particular trial have gone through all 4 steps.
A Notice of Inclusion is a letter sent out to advise that you have been randomly selected and placed on a jury roll for 12 months. During this time, you may be summonsed to attend court for jury service.
A summons is a letter sent out to advise you that you have been randomly selected from the people on the jury roll and you are required to attend a specific court for Jury Service on a particular date and time.
At court, people who have been summoned may be selected to serve on a jury in a particular trial.
Once the trial is ready to commence, potential jurors are taken in groups into the courtroom.
The Judge's Associate draws out juror numbers randomly from a ballot box. If your number is called, you will be asked to take a seat in the jury box.
Both the prosecutor and the defence counsel can challenge the selection of a juror without giving reasons. The challenge process is governed by legislation. If you are not included in the final jury selection because of a challenge, you may be required to remain at the court complex in case you are needed for another trial.
Once the challenges have been exhausted and there is a full panel of jurors, each person who has been selected is asked to take an Oath (swear to God) or an affirmation (promise to the court) to carry out their task faithfully and impartially.
This process is also explained in the following Welcome to jury service video that will be shown when you attend court.
The process of attending court explained
The process of attending court explained
00:00 Welcome to New South Wales jury service. By being here, you’re playing an important role in our justice system.
00:07 In fact, our system depends on everyday people like you to help make sure trials are fair and reflect the values and diversity of our community.
00:18 You have been randomly selected from the NSW Electoral Roll to receive a jury summons.
00:25 You might be chosen today for a trial in either the District or Supreme Court. If you are selected, you'll help decide whether someone is guilty or not guilty of a crime or who is at fault in a civil case.
00:39 It's a big responsibility, but also a unique way to see how our justice system works. It can also be a meaningful way to give back to your community alongside your peers.
00:50 This video will walk you through what to expect during jury service, both today and in the days ahead.
01:03 The NSW Sheriff's Office is here to assist you throughout your journey.
01:08 Court Officers make sure the courtroom runs smoothly. They swear in witnesses, manage documents and assist you, the jury.
01:18 Sheriff's Officers are responsible for safety and security across the whole court building and may also assist in the courtroom.
01:26 If you have any questions or need anything, just chat to one of the officers in uniform. They’re here to help.
01:36 We'll start selecting jurors once the Judge and legal teams let us know. This might take a little while.
01:42 While you wait, feel free to use your phone or other electronic device, but you must stay inside the courthouse.
01:50 Remember to switch off your device when you are called.
01:55 Under the Court Security Act 2005, it is an offence to take a photograph, and/or record sound or images anywhere within a NSW courthouse.
02:06 To protect your privacy, you've been given a juror call number card. Keep it on you, as we’ll use this number instead of your name.
02:20 When you enter a courtroom, you'll notice a number of people in the room.
02:25 The Judge, addressed as Your Honour, ensures a fair trial and provides legal directions to the jury.
02:34 The Judge's Associate sits in front of the Judge's bench and assists the Judge.
02:39 The accused sits in the dock. They are presumed innocent unless, or until, proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
02:49 Barristers sit at the bar table and wear gowns and wigs. The barrister, or sometimes the solicitor, represents the accused throughout the trial.
02:59 The Crown Prosecutor presents the evidence on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
03:06 Court Officers assist the jury day to day, but they cannot discuss the case with jurors.
03:12 If you have a question about the trial or your participation once selected, you will need to write a note. The Court Officer will hand it to the Judge.
03:26 When you’re brought into the court, the Judge will explain what the case is about, how long it might go for, and read a list of names of people involved in the trial.
03:36 If you recognise anyone, whether it's witnesses, lawyers, police officers or someone else, you need to let the Judge know when asked to do so.
03:46 If for any other reason you are not able to serve as a juror in the trial, you will need to notify the Judge. You can tell the Judge verbally or by writing a note.
03:57 The Judge will carefully consider any reasonable requests to be excused.
04:02 You may also be excused from serving on a case by the prosecution or the defence. Both parties have the legal right to challenge jurors without giving a reason.
04:12 If you're excused from one trial, you'll go back to the waiting area and may be called for another trial.
04:21 If you are selected, you become an official part of the trial.
04:26 You'll need to stay impartial, keep everything confidential, and keep track of your confidential materials.
04:35 You must not post anything about your participation in jury service or about the case on social media, research the case yourself, talk about the case with anyone, or visit the alleged crime scene.
04:50 Doing any of these things could seriously affect the trial or even stop it completely.
04:55 It's also illegal. You could be charged with committing an offence under the Jury Act 1977 and face serious penalties, including imprisonment.
05:05 The Judge will give you clear directions throughout the trial. You must follow these directions.
05:16 It is important to know that you may be listening to and viewing witness evidence relating to serious crimes, which may involve violence, sexual assault, and fraud.
05:29 The Juror Support Program offers free and confidential counselling for anyone who's finished jury service and feels distressed about what they've seen or heard in court.
05:46 Once the jury reaches a verdict and it's delivered in court, your jury service is officially complete. The Judge will thank you and discharge you from duty.
05:55 Got feedback about your experience? We'd love to hear it. Just speak with one of our team members.
06:08 You'll receive daily payment for your service. It's not intended to replace your income, but to recognise your time and contribution.
06:17 Payments are made via bank transfer only, so make sure your details are up to date in your juror profile.
06:24 Please take a moment to do that now so we can make sure you receive your payment.
06:31 The strength of our justice system comes from everyday people stepping up. People just like you.
06:38 By participating in jury service, you are helping ensure justice is fair and grounded in the shared values of our community.
06:46 On behalf of the NSW Sheriff's Office, we thank you again for your service.
Sometimes the role of a juror can be more complex, depending on the trial you are attending. In criminal trials, a jury hears evidence, applies the law as directed by the judge, and decides if a person is guilty or not guilty of a crime, based on the facts.
A jury does not participate in the sentencing process.
In criminal trials, between 12 and 15 people are selected to be on the jury.
Juries are only rarely used in civil trials and are usually defamation proceedings. A civil trial is typically 4 jurors however, in the Supreme Court, 12 jurors may be selected. The trial judge will outline the issues the jury needs to consider in deciding who is ‘at fault’ rather than deciding whether an accused person is guilty or not guilty.
Courts Service Centre 1300 679 272 (general information)
Mon - Fri, 9am to 4.30pm (excluding public holidays)
Juror Information Line 1300 780 199 (to confirm attendance requirements)
Email: sheriff.jury@dcj.nsw.gov.au
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