26 Sep 2012

Legislation improve jurors' safety passed

6:15 am on 26 September 2012

Legislation to improve the privacy and safety of jurors has passed its third and final reading in Parliament.

The Juries Amendment Act removes the addresses of potential jurors from the lists provided to lawyers.

It is in response to convicted murderer George Baker writing to a juror whose name he saw on a list while representing himself in a trial.

The law also allows people to apply to be permanently excused from jury duty if they are over 65, disabled or in ill-health.

The legislation also prevents those who have served three months or more home detention in the past five years from serving on a jury.