Reduced Peremptory Challenges for Parties in Criminal Trials
Juries (Peremptory Challenges) Amendment Bill 2025
Private Member's BillIntroduced by: Taimus Werner-Gibbings MLA (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
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.
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
“I move: That this bill be agreed to in principle. PROOF P3920 Legislative Assembly for the ACT 3 December 2025 I rise today to introduce a bill to amend the Juries Act 1967 regarding peremptory challenges. This bill reduces the number of peremptory challenges available to the prosecutions and the defences in ACT jury trials.”