§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Attorney General what vetting of juries is normally undertaken by legal authorities to ascertain before a case appears at court whether every member of the selected jury can speak and understand English.
The Solicitor-General[pursuant to his reply, 8 August 1980, c. 401]: None. The summons sent to jurors clearly states that a person may be excused from jury service if his understanding of English is insufficient. If it appears to the officer of the court that a person reporting for jury service has language difficulties, the judge is informed. The judge has power to discharge the juror if, on account of insufficient understanding of English, there is doubt as to his capacity to act effectively as a juror.