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§ 34.—Jury.

A Common Jury consists of 12 men, summoned by the Sheriff for trials in the Supreme Court. With one exception, juries are not used in trials in the Resident Magistrates' Courts.

The men for a jury are thus chosen. The names of all citizens, between the ages of 21 and 60 years, of good fame and character, are written in a book kept by the Sheriff, arranged alphabetically. When a Jury is required, the Sheriff summons 36 men, taken in order as they stand in the book. The choice of jurymen is not left with the Sheriff. The choice is decided by the initial letters of their names, commencing with A; and when all the names on the list have been gone through, the list is again commenced. Thus it is impossible to select men for a Jury who are likely to favour one side or the other.

On the day appointed for the assembling at the Courthouse, the names of these 36 Jurors are written by the Registrar on slips of paper. These slips are put into a box and shaken together, and then taken out one by one. Each name is called out by the Registrar as drawn. When twelve men have been obtained, the Jury is formed.

Each Juror is then sworn by the Registrar, and takes an oath that he will give a true verdict, according to the evidence. If any person summoned to attend as a Juror neglects to appear, he is liable to a fine not exceeding £10. Thus everything belonging to the administration of Justice is well arranged, so that no difficulty or confusion may arise.