Jury service age limit to be raised to 75 to reflect ageing population

Described as a move to make the criminal justice system more inclusive, the Ministry of Justice has called for people aged between 70 and 75 to have the opportunity to serve on a jury.

Last amended by the Criminal Justice Act in 1988 when the upper age limit was raised from 65 to 70, the new proposal will make the age of people eligible to sit as jurors range from 18 to 75.

Criminal Justice Minister Damien Green said: “The right to be tried by your peers is, and remains, a cornerstone of the British Justice system laid down in the Magna Carta almost 800 years ago.

“Our society is changing and it is vital that the criminal justice system moves with the times. The law as it currently stands does not take into account the increases to life expectancy that have taken place over the past 25 years.

“This is about harnessing the knowledge and life experiences of a group of people who can offer significant benefits to the court process.” The Ministry of Justice has made the proposal as part of a drive to ensure that the criminal justice system is reflecting an ageing modern society, and is a decision that has been backed by many organisations which represent older people.

Jane Ashcroft, chief executive of older people’s charity, Anchor, welcomed the proposal and said: ‘I welcome this move by the Ministry of Justice to increase the upper age limit for jurors. Older people have already contributed a great deal to society and their experiences and views are invaluable, which is why at Anchor more than 300 of our workforce is aged over the traditional retirement age. I’m pleased that more older people will now be able to share their wisdom and participate in the criminal justice system.’

Director of Saga, Paul Green added: “Older people have a great deal of life experience and many remain astute, savvy and mentally agile well into later life and will be a valued addition to any jury. This is a common sense reform and should be applauded.”

The change to the age range of people eligible to be jurors will require primary legislation which will be brought forward early next year.