Montserrat
The Montserrat Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed the Jury (Amendment) Bill 2024, amending the Jury Act after certain sections were deemed unconstitutional by the High Court. The amendments address issues raised in a 2017 Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court ruling concerning jury selection processes.
Attorney General Sheree Jemmotte-Rodney presented the bill, highlighting that the previous law allowed the Crown to keep jurors on standby without limit during selection, a practice found unconstitutional. The amendments also introduce provisions for alternative jurors to prevent the discharge of entire juries due to individual juror issues.
The bill clarifies that a jury consists of nine members, each party is allowed two peremptory challenges, and outlines the process for empaneling a jury. These changes aim to enhance the efficiency and fairness of the judicial process in Montserrat.
