Reduced Peremptory Challenges for Parties in Criminal Trials

ACT Reduced Peremptory Challenges for Parties in Criminal Trials

Juries (Peremptory Challenges) Amendment Bill 2025

Private Member's Bill

15 May 2026: Passed by Parliament and signed off by the governor.

This bill kicks in: TBA

If this bill passes, it means that:

Parties in criminal trials generally have 4 peremptory challenges; this is a reduction from 8.

Parties have 5 peremptory challenges if the judge directs that 13 or 14 jurors be empanelled.

Parties have 6 peremptory challenges if the judge directs that 15 jurors be empanelled.

Parties have 7 peremptory challenges if the judge directs that 16 jurors be empanelled.