A total of 82 people will serve as jurors during the Easter Term of the Home Circuit Court.

Making the disclosure during Wednesday’s opening of the new term at the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston, Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn said the figure represents “more than we were accustomed to having in previous times” and may be as a result of the recent amendments to the Jury Act.

“I look forward to a fruitful term and I think, along with all the stakeholders, we will continue to give of our best in service before self for Jamaica,” she said.

She said of the 1,800 summonses prepared, 1,000 were conveyed to the police for service, while the remaining 800 were sent out by means of mail.

She further noted that, out of the 1,000 summonses originally given to the police, only 182 were served.

Llewellyn said it would also appear that the returns have not yet been received for the summonses sent via mail.

There are 526 cases to be tried during the Easter Term of the Home Circuit Court. Of the 526 cases, 22 are new cases. The Easter Term of the Home Circuit Court runs from April to July.

In the Hilary Term which just ended, 44 of the 522 listed cases were settled.

The amended Jury Act provides for the enhancement of the jury selection process by modifying the rules concerning the number of peremptory challenges allowed.

It also allows for the production of an expanded list of potential jurors from a combination of the voters’ list and the list of people with Taxpayer Registration Numbers issued under the Revenue Administration Act, and an array of seven jurors for all jury trials other than for treason or murder, where, on conviction, the death penalty may be imposed.