Jury stipends set to rise

A bill has been tabled in the House of Representatives to facilitate the much-anticipated increase in stipends for members of the public empanelled to serve as jurors.

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Delroy Chuck revealed on Tuesday that under the proposed changes to the Jury Act, jurors will see their pay jump from $2,000 to $6,000 per day--a 200 per cent increase.

Even those called for jury duty but not selected will now pocket $2,000 a day just for showing up.

"We felt it necessary to go even further than this to account for persons who are called to jury duty but who are not selected. With the proposal in the Bill, these individuals will now be paid $2,000 for each day that they appear before the court to participate in the jury selection process," Chuck said.

The minister emphasised that deliberations on the proposed increase recognised both the vital role of jurors in the administration of justice and the personal sacrifice involved in answering the call to serve.

He noted that while the adjustment is modest, it acknowledges the financial burden jury duty places on citizens who set aside daily responsibilities to fulfil this civic obligation.

"It is our hope that the increase in the stipend paid to jurors and the introduction of a stipend for participating in the jury selection process will offset some expenses incurred by the public as they fulfil this important role," he said.