Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Support the jury selection process.
  2. Ensure the welfare and security of jurors during trials.
  3. Complete post-trial duties after jury is discharged.

Required Skills

Required skills

initiative and enterprise skills to apply

legislation rules practice and procedures relating to managing jurors

procedures relating to public sector legislation such as OHS procedures relating to working in a court environment

communication skills to

announce persons in court

direct jurors

brief jurors

provide information to jurors

confirm jurors personal details

address juror needs

interpersonal skills to respond to diversity including gender and disability

literacy skills to complete

court forms and documentation appropriately

statistical returns accurately

Required knowledge

jury selection process

role and function of juries

legislative requirements of jurors

general procedures and protocols relating to jurors

standard operating procedures relating to jury management

court procedures relating to juries

documentary and administrative requirements relating to juries

equal employment opportunity principles

equity and diversity principles

working ethically

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to

complete preliminary procedures

provide and retrieve jury panel information

provide relevant information to jurors

provide appropriate responses to enquiries from jurors

ensure integrity of jurors

apply security procedures

complete posttrial duties

complete relevant documentation

comply with court protocols legislative and organisational policies and procedures

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated by managing jurors on a range of occasions over time

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must comply with

applicable regulations and codes

workplace procedures and protocols

Access may be required to

a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practices and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when managing jurors including coping with difficulties irregularities and breakdowns in routine

legislation policy procedures and protocols relating to managing jurors

case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when managing jurors

Guidance information for assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

oral questioning about relevant legislation acting ethically and applying processes

observation of the candidate responding to a range of contexts to ensure achievement of the unit outcomes

feedback from peers andor supervisor that the candidate consistently applies relevant workplace procedures

review of records completed by candidate or reports of performance

In all cases practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency that are difficult to assess directly Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate

Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Preliminary procedures may include:

roll call

checking identification against jury summons

correcting details, such as spelling of names, change of name or address, etc.

identifying public servants (who may be ineligible for payment)

dealing with administrative problems

providing information to jurors

confirming juror requirements

describing court layout, where parties sit and where jurors will go during empanelling

procedures for oath or affirmation

identifying exempt jurors

identifying jurors who wish to make application to the judge to be excused from service

notifying judge of number of applications for being excused and number of prospective jurors

Jury panel information may be provided:

to presiding judge alone

to Crown

to defence counsel

immediately prior to jury selection

immediately after jury selection

to prospective jurors

Selection procedures may include:

personal applications to be excused

excusing jurors who know witnesses

calling names or identification numbers

challenging jurors before they take their seat in the jury box

procedure for those challenged to leave the court

security of jury cards once a trial is in process

ban on use of recording equipment during selection

ban on mobile phones, cameras and weapons

Orientation may include:

court layout

how to gain entry to the jury room

emergency exit procedures

arrangements for lunch or evening adjournments

arrangements for leaving and re-entering court on succeeding days

procedure for emergencies that prevent juror from attending court on time

procedures for messages to jurors in case of emergencies

jury room to be locked while jury is in court and after evening adjournment

General protocols may include:

role and selection of foreperson

use of jury communication forms

no mobile telephones or pagers in court

surrender of mobile phones and pagers during jury deliberations

jurors not to be approached by other people while in court or jury room

no contact with counsel or witnesses during adjournments

avoiding unnecessary contact with public

Documentation may include:

selected juror's form

jury telephone contact form

jury attendance sheet

jury statistics returns

electronic record keeping

Jury security procedures may include:

escorting jurors

keeping jury room closed/locked

ensuring jurors are not approached during meals and breaks

protecting identity of jurors

ensuring jurors are not photographed

not allowing jurors to separate during meals when deliberating

transport arrangements for jury views

keeping jurors apart from other court members during jury views

views and showers

Questions may include:

sitting times for court and when they will be required

those relating to the trial or the principles and practices of law, which are referred to the presiding judge

requests for items that must be referred to the presiding official, such as street directory, dictionary or whiteboard

request for items relating to accommodation and other amenities

Jury deliberations may include:

access to exhibits tendered during trial (subject to judge's direction)

access to electronic equipment

requests for information

questions for the judge

questions where the judge determines the court must re-convene to hear the questions and the answers

majority verdict in the case of civil trials

Items may include:

written material that must not be retained by jurors

jurors' notebooks

whiteboard information that must be removed

trial paperwork

exhibits

reference books or other requested items

jurors' identification tags

Escorting jurors may include:

avoiding public areas

notifying security control of special circumstances

arranging transport in special circumstances

Administrative duties may include:

completion of jury cards

payment to jurors

completion of forms, court returns, statistical returns and covering reports

dealing with court files

electronic record keeping