In 1806, the Commission on Public Records passed a resolution requesting the production of a report on the best mode of reducing the volume of the statute book.[2] From 1810 to 1825, The Statutes of the Realm was published, providing for the first time the authoritative collection of acts.[2]
By the early 19th-century, English criminal law had become increasingly intricate and difficult to navigate due to the large number of acts passed that had accumulated over many years. This complexity posed challenges for law enforcement.[3]
The Committee met on 3 April 1833 and reported on 4 April 1833, with amendments.[5] The third reading of the amended bill was delayed several times, and the amended bill had its third reading in the House of Lords on 29 April 1833 and passed, with amendments.[5]
In 1834, the act was amended by the Juries (Ireland) Act 1834 (4 & 5 Will. 4. c. 8), to fix practical implementation issues with the original jury selection system, particularly around timing and administrative procedures.[9]
Previously, Justices were required to hold October General or Quarter Sessions in each Division of Irish counties The law modified the timing to be "not less than One Month nor more than Six Weeks after the First Day of October" for special sessions to examine juror lists. The amendment addressed an issue where the Jurors Book (a registry of eligible jurors) wasn't being delivered to Sheriffs or proper officers in time for use by January 1st. This had caused practical problems with impanelling juries according to the original act's requirements. The amendment explicitly validated previous jury selections that may have deviated from the original act's procedures, declaring that jury returns and panels made under these circumstances would be considered lawful, even if they didn't strictly follow the previous act's requirements.
An Act to amend Two Acts, of the Third and Fourth and Fourth and Fifth Years of His late Majesty King William the Fourth, for consolidating and amending the Laws relative to Jurors and Juries in Ireland.
In 1839, the act was amended by the Juries (Ireland) Act 1839 (2 & 3 Vict. c. 48) regarding the examination of jury lists.[11] The act addressed practical difficulties in holding special sessions, particularly when insufficient numbers of Justices were available at prescribed times. Under the new provisions, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was empowered to issue warrants establishing alternative arrangements for these special sessions. To ensure public awareness, any such changes required publication in both the Dublin Gazette and local county newspapers, with notices appearing no sooner than fourteen days before the revised session dates.
Section 50 of the act repealed 43 acts, listed in that section, effective from 1 January 1834.[3]
Section 50 of the act also provided that nothing in the act shall be construed to affect or alter any part of the Quakers Act 1695 (7 & 8 Will. 3), any powers unrepealed nor juries on civil bills before assistant barristers.[3]
An Act passed in the Second Session of the Tenth Year of the Reign of King Charles the First, intituled An Act concerning the Appearance of Jurors in the Nisi Prius.
An Act passed in the Tenth and Eleventh Years of the same Reign, intituled An Act for the limiting of peremptory Challenges in Cases of Treason and Felonies, and so forth.
An Act passed in the Sixth Year of the Reign of King George the First, intituled An Act for exempting the Protestant Dissenters of this Kingdom from certain Penalties to which they are now subject.
As relates to Exemptions from serving upon Juries.
An Act passed in the Twelfth Year of the same Reign, intituled An Act for the better regulating the Office of Sheriffs, and for the ascertaining their Fees, and the Fees for suing out their Patents, and passing their Accounts.
As relates to the impanelling or Return of Juries.
An Act passed in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Years of the Reign of King George the Third, intituled An Act for reviving and continuing several temporary Statutes, and to prevent the destructive Practice of trawling Fish in the Bay of Dublin.
As revives or continues the said Act of the Twenty- ninth Year of King George the Second.
An Act passed in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Years of the Reign of King George the Third, intituled An Act for the Amendment of the Law with respect to Outlawries, returning Special Juries, and the future Effects of Bankrupts, in certain Cases.
As in anywise relates to Special Juries for Trials in Counties at large.
An Act passed in the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Years of the Reign of King George the Third, intituled An Act for establishing a Post Office within this Kingdom.
As relates to any Exemption from serving upon any Jury or Inquest.
An Act passed in the Twenty-fifth Year of the same Reign, intituled An Act to take away the Challenge to the Array of Panels of Jurors for Want of a Knight on Trials which a Peer or Lord of Parliament is a Party.
An Act passed in the Twenty-sixth Year of the same Reign, intituled An Act for making, widening, and repairing public Roads in the County of Dublin, and for repealing Parts of several Acts formerly made for that Purpose.
As provides that any Treasurer, Inspector of the Accounts, Secretary of the Grand Jury, or Collector of any Barony, shall not be returned upon any Panel for any Jury in the County of Dublin.
An Act passed in the Thirty-fifth Year of the same Reign, intituled An Act for the better Regulation of the Receipts and Issues of His Majesty's Treasury, and for repealing an Act of Parliament passed in the Tenth Year of Henry the Seventh, intituled An Act authorizing the Treasurer to make all Officers as the Treasurer of England doth.
As relates to any Exemption from serving upon any Jury
An Act passed in the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in the Sixth Year of the Reign of His late Majesty, intituled An Act for the Amendment of the Laws with respect to Special Juries, and to Trials in Counties of Cities and Towns and Towns Corporate in Ireland.
As relates to Special Juries in any Indictments or Informations tried in any County at large in Ireland.
^ abcdefLords, Great Britain Parliament House of (1833). Journals of the House of Lords. Vol. 65. H.M. Stationery Office. pp. 100, 133, 137, 143, 146, 148, 155, 156, 166, 181, 182, 209, 218, 614, 626, 633, 635.
