Juries Act 1981

Constitution of jury

21: Foreperson

You could also call this:

"Choosing the Jury Leader"

After the jurors have been sworn, you will retire with the other jurors to choose a foreperson before the case starts or the defendant is given in charge. The court can direct you to choose a foreperson at a different time if needed. You will do this as part of the jury process.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM44821.

This page was last updated on 25 December 2025 — View changes

Topics:

Crime and justice > Courts and legal help

20: Swearing of jurors, or

"How jurors promise to be fair and honest"

22: Discharge of juror or jury, or

"The court can let you or the whole jury go if you can't do your job or if there's an emergency."

21Foreperson

After the jurors have been sworn but before the case is opened or the defendant is given in charge, the jury shall retire to choose a foreperson.
Despite subsection (1) the court may direct that the jury choose a foreperson at a time different from that specified in subsection (1).

Compare

1908 No 90 s 107A
1961 No 62 s 2

Notes

Section 21 heading: replaced, on 25 December 2008, by section 14(1)(a) of the Juries Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 40).
Section 21(1): amended, on 1 July 2013, by section 7 of the Juries Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 90).
Section 21(1): amended, on 25 December 2008, by section 14(1)(b) of the Juries Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 40).
Section 21(2): inserted, on 25 December 2008, by section 14(2) of the Juries Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 40).