Legislation – Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022
Changes to legislation:
Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, Section 196 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 19 October 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes to Legislation
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
- Pt. 2 Ch. 3A inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 28
- s. 44F inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 29
PART 13Procedures in courts and tribunals
Juries
I1196British Sign Language interpreters for deaf jurors
1
The Juries Act 1974 is amended as follows.
2
After section 9B insert—
9CBritish Sign Language interpreters for deaf jurors
1
For the purpose of section 9B(2), in determining whether or not a person who is deaf should act as a juror, the judge must consider whether the assistance of a British Sign Language interpreter would enable that person to be capable of acting effectively as a juror.
2
Where the judge considers that the assistance of a British Sign Language interpreter would enable the person to be capable of acting effectively as a juror, the judge may appoint one or more interpreters to provide that assistance, and affirm the summons.
3
An interpreter appointed under subsection (2) may remain with the jury in the course of their deliberations in proceedings before a court for the purpose of enabling the person the interpreter is assisting to act effectively as a juror.
4
The interpreter must not interfere in or influence the deliberations of the jury (see section 20I as to the offence).
3
After section 20G insert—
20HApplication of certain provisions to British Sign Language interpreters
1
Section 12(1) and (2) (challenge for cause) apply to an interpreter appointed under section 9C(2) as those provisions apply to jurors.
2
Section 15A (surrender of electronic communications devices) applies to an interpreter appointed under section 9C(2) as it applies to members of a jury.
3
Section 20A (offence of research by jurors) applies to an interpreter appointed under section 9C(2) as it applies to members of a jury with the modification that the reference to “the trial period” in subsection (5), in relation to an interpreter, is the period—
a
beginning when the interpreter is appointed under section 9C(2), and
b
ending when the judge discharges the jury or, if earlier, when the judge discharges the interpreter.
4
Section 20B (offence of sharing research with other jurors) applies to an interpreter appointed under section 9C(2) as it applies to members of a jury, but the references in section 20B to “section 20A” and “the trial period” are to be read as references to “section 20A” and “the trial period” as modified by subsection (3) of this section.
5
In the following provisions of section 20F (exceptions to offence of disclosing jury deliberations), the references to the conduct of a juror include the conduct of an interpreter appointed under section 9C(2)—
a
subsection (1)(b)(ii);
b
subsection (4)(b);
c
subsection (5).
20IOffence: interpreters interfering in or influencing jury deliberations
1
It is an offence for an interpreter appointed under section 9C(2) intentionally to interfere in or influence the deliberations of the jury in proceedings before a court.
2
A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable, on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or a fine (or both).
3
Proceedings for an offence under this section may only be instituted by or with the consent of the Attorney General.
4
In section 22(A1) (offences which do not affect contempt of court at common law) for “or 20C” substitute “, 20C or 20I”
.