Jury Vetting
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
This CPS prosecution guidance outlines the processes and principles involved in jury vetting, including the circumstances under which jurors can be challenged and the types of checks that can be performed. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining an independent and impartial jury as mandated by Article 6(1) ECHR. Specific provisions for authorized jury checks and procedures for challenging jurors are detailed, alongside the lawful use of checks in cases of public interest.
Key points
- Jurors must be selected randomly from the panel, obeying the Juries Act 1974.
- DBS checks are standard for potential jurors, with additional checks authorized as needed.
- The DPP may request a jury check in the interests of justice per AG's guidelines.
- Defence does not have access to prosecution's jury check information but can request checks for disqualified persons.
- Judges have the discretion to remove jurors for incompetence or bias after a challenge is made.
Public-interest factors
- Ensuring justice in complex or high-profile cases
- Preventing bias in jury selection
- Maintaining public trust in the legal system
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.