Administration_of_Justice_(Emergency_Provisions)_Act_1939
Administration of Justice (Emergency Provisions) Act 1939
United Kingdom legislation
The Administration of Justice (Emergency Provisions) Act 1939 (2 & 3 Geo. 6. c. 78) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that modified the law in England and Wales with regards to juries in England and Wales.
The Act was an emergency measure passed in anticipation of war with Germany, and received royal assent on the day that Germany invaded Poland, beginning the Second World War. Among other things, it reduced the number of people required to serve on a jury in civil or criminal cases from twelve to seven (except in the most serious criminal cases).[1] It also raised the age limit for jury service from 60 to 65,[2] and abolished trial by jury in civil cases, except in cases where the judge ordered that a jury trial was to take place.[3] This was due to the large numbers of people who were expected to be conscripted in the event of a war. The Act was to have effect until the end of the war, when it would be expired by an Order in Council. In the event, the Administration of Justice (Emergency Provisions) Act (Expiry) Order 1947 was made on 10 March 1947.
Similar legislation was passed for Scotland[4] and Northern Ireland.[5] In Scotland, where a unanimous verdict was not always required, a majority verdict could be given by five of the seven jurors.[6]